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ELECTRICITY. 


ELECTEICITY 


MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY 


GEO.  C.  PITZER,  M.  D.,      • 

PROFESSOR    OF    THE    THEORY    AND    PRACTICE     OF   MEDICINE    IN   THE    ABIERICAN 
MEDICAL  COLLEGE,   ST.   LOUIS;    CLINICAL  LECTURER  AT  THE   CITY  HOS- 
PITAL, ST.  LOUIS  ;  EDITOR  OF  THE  AMERICAN  MEDICAL  JOURNAL; 
AUTHOR  OF  "DIRECT  medication;"  AND  "ALCOHOL  ASA 
FOOD,  A  MEDICINE,  A  POISON  AND  AS  A  LUXURY." 


THIED  EDITI0:N". 


ST.  LOUIS,  MO. 
1884. 


COPYKIGIIT 


EMS 
Ub. 


PREFACE. 


The  object  of  this  work  is  to  furnish  the  medical  student 
with  a  book  containing  tlie  principal  practical  facts  embraced 
by  the  subject  of  electricity  and  electro-therapeutics.  We 
have  aimed  to  make  everything  as  plain  and  simple  as  pos- 
sible, so  that  a  mere  novice  may,  with  the  aid  of  this  book, 
commence  the  use  of  electricity  in  the  treatment  of  disease. 
We  hope  it  may  supply  a  want  expressed  by  country  prac- 
titioners generally. 

GEO.  C.  PITZER. 

St.  Louis,  January,  1SS3. 


PREFACE  TO  SECOND  EDITION. 


Although  upon  the  market  but  a  few  weeks,  the  first  edition 
of  this  work  is  ah-eady  exhausted.  This  unexpected  demand, 
together  with  the  hearty  appreciation  and  warm  approval  of 
this  little  book,  as  manifested  and  expressed  by  leading  members 
of  all  branches  of  the  medical  profession,  has  encouraged  us  to 
immediately  get  out  this  second  edition. 

It  will  be  observed  that  the  work  has  been  thoroughly  revised, 
and  considerably  enlarged,  by  the  addition  of  several  new  chap- 
ters, embracing  some  of  the  most  interesting  subjects  connected 
with  electrical  therapeutics.  Of  these  we  mention  electro-diag- 
nosis ;  how  to  detect  feigned  sickness  or  malingering;  how  to 
make  tests  for  life  or  death  in  doubtful  cases  ;  how  to  revive  peo- 
ple suffering  from  asphyxia,  or- from  overdoses  of  chloroform 
taken  by  inhalation ;  how  to  restore  those  who  are  suffernig 
from  opium  or  morphia  poison,  and  how  to  cauterize  with  elec- 
tricity. And  static  or  Franklinic  electricity  is  treated  in  detail, 
the  best  machines  for  its  use  fully  explained  and  clearly  illus- 
trated. 

Our  own  experience  is  given  in  all  cases  where  we  have  actual 
knowledge  of  facts ;  and  the  experience  of  other  reliable  men, 
such  as  Morton,  Bartholow,  Curtiss,  Rockwell,  etc.,  is  added  or 
appended  in  many  instances,  due  credit  being  attached  where  it 
belongs.  Speculative  theories  and  reckless  reports  from  doubt- 
ful sources  are  strenuously  avoided.  We  have  endeavored  to 
furnish  our  readers  with  an  honest,  clear  and  comprehensive 
exposition  of  electro-therapeutics,  that  may  enable  them  to 
apply  this  measure  in  practice  in  all  cases  where  it  may  be  avail- 
able. Hoping  our  efforts  may  prove  satisfactory,  and  that  the 
work  may  be  studied  with  care  and  profit,  and  thanking  our 
many  readers  and  reviewers  for  their  unsolicited  expressions  of 
praise  in  the  favorable  mention  of  our  first  effort,  we  now  place 
before  the  profession  this  second  edition. 

GEO.  C.  PITZER. 
St.  Louis,  May    ist,   18S3. 


PREFACE  TO  THIRD  EDITION. 


Within  one  year  two  editions  of  this  work  have  been  sold, 
and  with  the  beginning  of  18S4  another  thousand  is  called  for. 

We  have  carefully  revised  the  work,  and  made  such  additions 
as  have  seemed  most  essential.  New  chapters  on  static  elec- 
tricity, impotency,  electrolysis  in  urethral  stricture,  and  special 
instructions  in  the  treatment  of  chorea,  are  added,  with  illus- 
trations of  some  valuable  electrical  machines  and  batteries. 
The  work  speaks  for  itself,  and  we  hope  it  may  give  even  better 
satisfaction  than  ever  before. 

GEO.  C.  PITZER. 

St.  Louis,  IMarch,   1S84. 


Electricity  in  Medicine  and  Surgery. 


Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus. 

Electricity  is  a  force  or  mode  of  motion,  which  may  be  gener- 
ated by  friction  or  by  chemical  action.  No  chemical  change  can 
take  place  without  the  evolution  of  more  or  less  electricity. 

The  application  of  this  agent,  in  some  form,  to  the  relief  and 
cure  of  disease  dates  back  many  years.  At  one  time  frictional  or 
Franklinic  electricity  was  very  popular,  a  number  of  accidental 
cures  resulting  from  its  use.  We  say  accidental  cures  because  they 
resulted  from  the  empirical  use  of  electricity,  no  regard  being  paid 
to  any  law  upon  which  the  cures  were  wrought. 

An  interesting  treatise  on  Franklinic  electricity,  written  by  Rev. 
John  Wesley  in  1759,  gives  the  reader  a  very  good  understanding 
of  the  position  of  electro-therapeutics  more  than  a  hundred  years 
ago.  Medical  men  at  that  time  seemed  to  be  inclined  to  turn 
away  from  this  new  agent ;  this  placed  it  in  the  hands  of  the  laity, 
where  it  was  resorted  to  for  all  kinds  of  ailments.  This  indiscrim- 
inate use  of  a  potent  agent,  chiefly  by  men  and  women  who  knew 
but  little  about  it,  could  but  result  in  failure.  Because  electricity 
did  not,  in  the  hands  of  quacks,  cure  everything,  it  was  denounced 
entirely  by  many,  and  rapidly  fell  into  disrepute ;  and  to  this  day, 
while  it  has  many  able  advocates,  in  and  out  of  the  profession,  there 
are  not  a  few  who  entertain  strong  prejudices  against  it.  It  is  a 
fact  that  electricity  will  not  cure  everything,  no  matter  in  what  form, 
how  used,  or  by  whom  it  is  applied.  While  it  is  indicated  in  some 
form  in  a  wide  range  of  disorders,  and  while  many  distressing  ail- 
ments are  speedily  relieved  and  others  rapidly  and  radically  cured, 
it  fails  in  many  instances.  But  where  we  have  cases  to  which  this 
agent  is  adapted  and  we  rightly  apply  it,  nothing  equals  it. 

Like  everything  else,  electricity  has  its  place  and    its    power,  and 


4  Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus. 

in  its  place  it  is  prompt  and  positive  in  its  effects.  It  is  scarcely 
worth  while  to  say  that  the  principal  reason  of  many  failures  in  the 
use  of  electricity  is  to  be  found  in  tlie  fact  that  many  who  try  to 
use  this  agent  do  not  understand  the  instruments  they  undertake  to 
operate.  They  know  but  little  about  the  principles  of  their  workings, 
and  they  too  frequently  know  even  less  about  anatomy,  physiology 
and  pathology.  It  is  folly  to  hope  for  good  results  from  any  ther- 
apeutic agent  in  the  hands  of  an  ignoramus,  unless  it  be  by  acci- 
dent. A  successful  electrician  must  be  an  educated  physician.  He 
must  understand  physiology  and  pathology,  then  he  may  commence 
the  study  of  electro-therapeutics  and  the  use  of  electrical  instru- 
ments. Taking  it  for  granted,  then,  that  our  readers  are  all  phy- 
sicians, we  hope  to  make  our  lessons  interesting,  instructive  and 
practical. 

Electricity,  in  the  abstract,  is  always  the  same,  no  matter  wh^e 
or  how  generated ;  but  its  effects  upon  the  human  system  are  greatly 
varied,  and  wonderfully  modified  by  the  different  modes  of  applica- 
tion and  through  the  instruments  used  in  generating  and  conduct- 
ing it  to  and  into  the  body.  For  example:  By  the  judicious  use  of 
Franklinic  electricity  a  stimulating  and  tonic  influence  is  imparted, 
the  nutrition  of  the  part  is  improved  and  the  nervous  system  is  in- 
vigorated. By  the  application  of  the  Faradic,  or  induced  current, 
we  stimulate  or  excite  with  the  negative  pole,  and  soothe  or  relieve 
excitement  and  pain  with  the  positive  pole.  With  the  simple  gal- 
vanic current  we  excite  or  soothe,  as  in  the  case  of  the  Faradic  cur- 
rent; but  we  may  do  even  more  than  this.  We  can,  by  using  this, 
current  properly,  actually  separate  the  constituents  of  the  tissues, 
the  acids  and  oxygen  of  the  part  going  to  the  positive  pole,  while 
the  alkalies  and  hydrogen  go  to  the  negative  pole.  This  is  called 
electrolysis,  and  in  this  way  enlarged  glands,  indurated  tumors  and 
soft  tumors  are  frequently  dissolved  and  rapidly  carried  away. 
Again,  if  we  close  a  galvanic  current  with  a  platinum  wire,  and 
apply  the  wire  to  a  part,  we  may  speedily  burn  it  to  a  crisp.  Or,  by 
surrounding  a  part  by  this  wire,  we  may  remove  it  entire.  This  is 
called  the  galvanic  cautery,  by  which  we  frequently  remove  tumors. 
The  operation  is  bloodless,  and  the  healing  process  rapid.  But 
these  are  mere  hints  illustrating  the  different  results  of  electricity,  as 
applied  in  different  forms  and  through  different  means. 


Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus.  5 

Before  going  further,  we  can  best  serve  our  purpose  and  that  ot 
the  reader  by  presenting  a  short  description  of  the  different  forms  of 
electricity  and  a  few  brief  illustrations  of  some  of  the  most  practical 
batteries  and  instruments  used  in  electro-therapeutics.  As  we  be- 
come familiar  with  the  different  forms,  and  the  instruments  used  in 
generating  and  conducting  electricity,  we  are  better  qualified  to  un- 
derstand its  therapeutic  application. 

Electricity  is  manifested  in  three  general  forms :  Magnetism, 
Franklinic  electricity  and  Galvanism. 

Magnetism  is  that  form  of  electricity  found  in  loadstone.  Load- 
stone is  an  iron  ore,  which,  as  above  intimated,  is  permanently 
charged  with  electricity,  and  is  called  a  natural  magnet.  Ordinary 
steel  bars  may  be  charged  with  electricity,  when  they  become  arti- 
ficial magnets.  They  may  be  charged  or  magnetized,  as  it  is  called, 
by  bringing  them  in  contact  with  a  natural  magnet,  or  they  may  be 
magnetized  by  the  galvanic  current,  to  be  hereafter  described.  In 
either  case  these  steel  bars  are  only  artificial  magnets,  and  in  time 
lose  more  or  less  of  their  electricity,  or  magnetic  influence.  But 
good,  hard  steel  will  retain  its  magnetic  power  for  a  long  time.  If 
pure  soft  iron  bars  are  magnetized  by  a  natural  magnet,  or  by  the 
galvanic  current,  while  they  remain  in  contact  with  the  natural 
magnet  or  with  the  galvanic  current,  they  are  magnets  themselves  ; 
but  when  these  bars  thus  made  magnetic  are  removed  from  the 
natural  magnet  or  the  galvanic  current,  they  at  once  lose  their 
magnetic  power. 


There  is  a  property  belonging  to  magnets  called  polarity.  The 
ends  of  a  magnetic  rod  of  steel  attract  iron  and  iron  filings,  as  il- 
lustrated by  Fig.  I.  But  this  same  iron,  or  iron  filings,  i)laced  up- 
on the  center  of  this  magnet,  immediately  fall  off,  as  above  illustrat- 
ed. It  is  evident  that  two  opposite  kinds  of  magnetism  are  mani- 
fested in  this  rod ;  one  kind  at  the  ends  of  the  magnet  and  another 


Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus. 


at  its  center.  These  points,  manifesting  opposite  kinds  of  magnet- 
ism, are  called  poles.  This  property,  polarity,  belongs  to  other 
forms  of  electricity,  and  is  a  peculiarity  of  this  7node  of  ?noiion. 
More  might  be  said  here  about  magnetism,  but  this  is  quite  enough 
to  serve  our  purpose  for  the  present.  When  we  come  to  describe 
the  Faradic  current,  this  form  of  electricity  will  be  referred  to  again. 
Franklinic  or  static  electricity  is  obtained  by  friction,  cleav- 
age and  pressure.  Quite  a  number  of  machines  arc  in  use  for 
the  generation  of  this  kind  of  electricity,  and  there  are  numerous 
cases  in  therapeutics  where  this  form  of  this  force  is  equal  to 
others,  even  much  better;  then  there  are  many  cases  where 
other  forms  are  far  superior.  For  good  reasons  Franklinic  elec- 
tricity is  being  extensively  used  in  therapeutics  at  the  present  day. 


Fig.  2. 


Galvanism,  or  electricity  generated  by  chemical  action,  is  the 
form  in  which  this  great  force  can  be  best  utilized  in  therapeutics, 
and  to  this  form  does  electricity  owe  its  great  popularity.  For  the 
evolution  of  electricity  by  chemical  action,  a  galvanic  battery  is 
required,  and  we  can  make  this  part  of  our  subject  more  intelli- 
gible by  taking  a  battery  in  common  use  for  illustration.  Stohrer's 
famous  galvanic  battery,  as  made  by  the  Galvano-Faradic  Manufac- 
turing Company,  of  New  York,  will  answer  a  fine  purpose. 


Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus. 


Fig.  2  represents  Stohrer's  galvanic  battery.  It  consists,  alto- 
gether, as  we  see  it,  of  a  number  of  elements  and  battery  cells,  as 
they  are  called,  i6  or  32,  as  the  maker  may  decide.  A  galvanic 
cuiTent  may  be  produced  with  a  single  cell,  but  for  therapeutic  or 
surgical  purposes,  a  number  of  cells  are  required.  But  for  illus* 
tration  of  this,  as  well  as  other  batteries  to  be  described,  we  take  it 
for  granted  that  one  cell  only  is  used.  Fig.  3  represents  this 
single  cell,  made  of  glass  or  hard  rubber, 
as  may  be  desired,  with  a  capacity  suffi- 
cient to  hold  about  two  fluid  ounces.  For 
further  illustration  we  now  fill  this  cell 
about  two-thirds  full  of  a  battery  fluid, 
made  as  follows :  To  five  pints  of  cold 
water  add  eight  fluid  ounces  of  commer- 
cial sulphuric  acid,  and,  when  perfectly 
cool,  add  thereto  eight  ounces  of  finely 
pulverized  bi-chromate  of  potash.  Wtien 
^rr  this  is  well  dissolved,  and  before  using, 
add  one  ounce  of  bi-sulphate  of  mercury, 
the  required  amount  of  this  fluid  in  the  cell. 
In  this  cell  we  also  suspend  one  zinc  and  one  carbon  plate, 
as  seen  in  illustration,  Fig.  3.  The  zinc  and  carbon  are 
called  the  elements  of  the  battery;  the  solution,  the  battery  or 
exciting  fluid;  and  the  container,  the  cell.  The  zinc  is  called  the 
generating  element ;  the  carbon,  the  conductor.  Right  here  allow 
us  to  remark  that  electricity,  when  generated,  may  be  transmitted 
by  conduction  or  operate  through  induction.  Conduction  is  the 
transmission  through  intervening  metals,  called  conductors.  Some 
metals  are  good  conductors — copper  is  good ;  platinum,  poor.  By 
induction  we  mean  the  operation  of  electricity  through  the  inter- 
vening molecules  of  air.  This  principle  will  be  fully  explained  when 
we  reach  the  Faradic  current. 

In  the  galvanic  battery  the  electricity  is  transmitted  through  con- 
ductors, and,  as  above  stated,  the  carbon  in  the  battery  cell  is  the 
conducting  element,  and  to  complete  the  circuit  we  connect  the 
zinc  and  carbon,  outside  of  the  fluid,  by  intervening  wires,  as  seen 
in  Fig.  3.  Now,  here  is  represented,  in  this  single  cell,  the  principle 
and  construction  of  a  galvanic  battery.     When   the   electrically  op- 


Fig.  3. 
Now,  we    put 


8  Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus. 

posed  metals,  zinc  and  carbon,  are  immersed  in  the  battery  fluid 
and  united  at  their  ends,  either  directly  or  by  wires,  chemical  action 
immediately  begins,  and  in  proportion  to  the  amount  of  zinc  surface 
exposed  to  the  exciting  fluid  will  be  the  quantity  of  electricity  gen- 
erated. The  zinc  attracts  the  oxygen  of  the  fluid,  is  rapidly  oxy- 
dized,  and  gradually  destroyed.  The  hydrogen  of  the  fluid  is  ap- 
propriated in  another  direction.  The  result  of  this  chemical  action 
\=,  z.  mode  of  motion,  called  a  current  of  electricity.  This  current 
passes  from  the  zinc  or  generating  plate  to  the  carbon  or  conduct- 
ing plate  in  the  fluid,  and  outside  of  the  fluid  from  the  carbon, 
through  the  intervening  wires,  to  the  zinc.  Now,  let  us,  while  this 
current  is  running,  separate  the  ends  of  the  wires  connecting  the 
zinc  and  carbon.  Let  us  hold  the  two  separated  ends  of  the  wires, 
one  in  each  hand,  and  this  same  mode  of  motion,  or  current  of  elec- 
tricity, is  passing  through  the  body,  from  one  hand  to  the  other, 
entering  at  the  hand  holding  the  wire  attached  to  the  carbon,  which, 
outside  the  fluid,  is  called  \\\t positive  pok.  The  current  leaves  the 
body  at  the  hand  holding  the  wire  attached  to  the  zinc  plate,  which, 
outside  the  fluid  is  called  the  negative  pole. 

This  illustrates  the  working  of  a  single  cell  galvanic  battery. 
But  we  frequently  want  more  quantity  of  electricity  than  we  can 
get  from  one  cell  of  this  size,  and  we  more  frequently  require  a 
more  forcible  current — a  current  of  greater  tension — than  we  can  get 
from  a  single  cell  like  this.  Where  the  quantity  of  electricity  is 
small,  but  more  especially  where  the  tension  is  low,  the  current 
passing  slowly,  but  little  change  takes  place  in  the  tissues  to  which 
the  electricity  is  applied,  and  the  current  is  not  felt  or  appreciated 
in  any  way.  Where  the  tension  is  high^  the  current  strong  and  run- 
ning rapidly,  then  we  observe  redness  of  the  skin,  twitching  of  the 
muscles,  and  the  patient  complains  of  disagreeable  sensations.  In 
such  a  case  the  fluids  of  the  tissues  are  rapidly  separated,  the  acids 
and  oxygen  rushing  to  the  positive  pole  of  the  battery,  while  the 
hydrogen  and  alkalies  are  attracted  to  the  negative  pole.  A  very 
small  quantity  of  electricity  may  accomplish  a  great  deal  if  the 
tension  is  high  ;  but  for  the  purposes  of  galvano-cauteries,  quantity  is 
positively  required.  How  are  we  to  increase  tension,  and  how  arc  we 
to  get  more  quantity  ?  As  already  stated,  the  quantity  of  electricity 
generated  in  a  galvanic  cell  is  dependent  upon  the  amount  of  sur- 


Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus. 


face  exposed  to  the  exciting  fluid  by  the  generating  plate;  and  when 
it  is  required  to  increase  the  quantity,  the  elements  must  be  enlarged, 
or  the  generating  plates  of  several  cells  must  be  connected  directly, 
and  the  carbons  must  also  be  directly  connected.  Where  we  want 
an  increase  of  force,  or  desire  to  increase  the  rapidity  of  the  cur- 
rent— in  other  words,  when  we  want  more  tension — we  connect  alter- 
nately the  generating  and  conducting  elements,  the  zincs  and  the 
carbons,  of  two  or  more    cells,   as  illustrated   by  Fig.  4,  where  the 


Fig.  4. 

zincs  and  carbons  are  connected  alternately,  and  the  direction  of 
the  current  plainly  shown.  Increasing  the  size  of  the  elements  always 
gives  a  proportionate  increase  of  quantity,  but  it  does  not  increase  the 
tension  or  rapidity  of  the  current.  On  the  other  hand,  while  a 
combination  of  two  or  more  cells,  as  above  described,  the  elements 
connected  alternately,  increases  the  tension  in  proportion  to  the 
number  of  cells  thus  connected,  the  quantity  of  electricity  passing 
any  one  point  at  the  same  time  is  no  more  than  when  one  cell  is 
used.  Enlarging  the  elements  or  directly  connecting  several  gen- 
erating plates,  and  in  like  manner  as  many  conducting  plates,  in- 
creases quantity. 

In  the  galvanic  battery  of  Stohrer,  used  in  this  illustration,  the 
combination  of  cellc;  is  for  the  purpose  of  increasing  the  tension,  a 
property  of  the  current  particularly  required  in  electrolysis.  The 
instrument  shown  in  the  illustration    has   sixteen    cells.     Assuming 


Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus. 


that  they  are  all  properly  filled  with  fluid,  and  the  elements  sus- 
pended in  them  and  alternately  connected,  as  illustrated  by  Fig.  4, 
we  may  undertake  to  operate  the  battery.  For  the  purpose  of  con- 
venience in  conducting  the  electricity  from  the  battery  to  and 
through  the  body,  we  use  cords,  called  conductors,  constructed  of 
copper  wire  and  covered  with  silk.  The  covering  is  called  the  in- 
sulator, because  it  is  a  non-conductor.  The  ends  of  the  cords  have 
exposed  metallic  tips,  for  the  purpose  of  connecting  them  at  one  end 
with  the  commutator  of  the  instrument,  and  to  the  handles  of  the 
electrodes  at  the  other  ends.  Remember,  the  commutator  is  that 
part  of  this  instrument  which  we  slide  along  the  beam  of  wood  at 
the  top  of  the  apparatus.  This  commutator  is  so  arranged  as  to 
connect  with  a  zinc  on  one  side  and  a  carbon  on  the  other,  and  a 
complete  circuit  is  made  through  one  cell  by  placing  it  at  the  right. 
To  take  in  more  cells,  we  simply  move  the  commutator  to  the  left 
till  any  desired  number  of  cells  are  taken  into  the  circuit.  The 
electrodes  are  the  parts  of  the  instrument  attached  to  the  distal  ends 
of  the  conducting  cords,  and  are  directly  applied  to  the  part  of  the 
body  desired  to  be  brought  under  the  influence  of  electricity.  These 
electrodes  are  metallic,  and  may  be  covered  with  chamois  or  sponge. 
More  will  be  said  about  electrodes  as  we  approach  therapeutics.  Other 
particulars,  as  well  as  the  advantages  of  this  particular  battery,  are 
given  in  detail  in  the  illustrated  circulars  sent  with  the  instrument. 

Another  form  of  Stohrer's 
galvanic  battery  is  represented 
below  by  Fig.  5.  This  is  a 
very  practical  instrument,  easy 
to  operate  and  readily  cleaned 
or  repaired  when  necessary. 
Its  arrangement  is  so  simple 
that  a  mere  novice  may  soon 
understand  it,  and  any  wrong 
in  its  workings  can  be  detect- 
ed at  once.  It  is  manufactured 
by  Aloe  &:  Hernstein,  of  St, 
Louis. 

It  is  a  sixteen-cell  battery, 
with  large   elements,  zinc  and 


Fig.  5. 


Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus  ii 

carbon,  the  same  as  those  made  by  the  Galvano-Faradic  Manufac- 
turing Company.  Aloe  &  Hernstein  are  making  fourteen-cell 
batteries  similar  to  this,  with  still  larger  elements,  giving  more  quan- 
tity and,  they  claim,  more  power. 

The  bottom  of  the  box  in  these  batteries  is  a  movable  tray  in 
which  the  glass  or  hard  rubber  cells  are  placed.  This  movable 
tray  is  controlled  by  two  hinged  rods  which  are  fastened  to 
it,  and  these  by  two  screw  lifting  rings.  These  rings,  being 
screwed  tightly  down,  hold  the  cells  firmly  against  the  cush- 
ioned board,  which  is   pushed  through  a    slot  in  the  front   of  the 


Fig.  6. 

box,  and  covers  the  cells.  This  cushioned  board  is  called  the 
hydrostat,  because  it  securely  closes  the  cells  and  prevents  spilling 
of  the  fluid  in  moving  the  battery  from  place  to  place.  The  rings 
referred  to  also  serve  as  handles  for  lifting  the  tray  of  cells  to 
which  they  are  attached,  and  when  raised  to  the  proper  place  the 
rods  are  turned  on  their  hinges  and  the  tray  of  cells  held  in  place, 
with  the  elements  in  them.  When  done  using  the  battery,  the  rods 
are  straightened,  the  tray  of  cells  lowered,  and  the  hydrostat,  which 


Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatuo. 


was  removed  before  lifting  the  tray  of  cells,  is  now  replaced,  the 
screw-rings  turned  a  few  times,  and  all  is  secured. 

The  commutators,  conductors,  etc.,  are  the  same  as  in  the  first 
battery  described.  For  all  ordinary  purposes,  such  as  central  gal- 
vanism, electroloysis,  etc.,  these  batteries  are  exceedingly  well 
adapted. 

Fig.  6  represents  the  Bartlett  galvanic  battery,  manufactured 
by  the  Galvano-Faradic  Manufacturing  Co.,  of  New  York.  This  is 
a  thirty-six-cell  battery,  the  elements  zinc  and  carbon  all  arranged  in 
very  compact  and  neat  style.  The  tray  holding  the  cells  is  con- 
trolled by  lifting  rods,  the  same  as  the  Stohrer  battery.  The  com- 
mutator works  with  a  lever  or  crank,  and  from  one  to  thirty-six  cells 
may  be  brought  into  the  circuit  at  pleasure.  This  is  a  fine  appear- 
ing instrument,  and  being  provided  with  an  automatic  rheotome, 
current  reverser,  etc.,  it   is  a  very  desirable  battery. 

The    following    cuts   represent    the    galvanic  and    galvanic    and 


Fig.  7.  Fig.  8. 

faradic  batteries  combined,  as  manufactured  by  the  MTntosh  Gal- 
vanic Belt  and  Battery  Company,  of  Chicago,  111.  These  batteries 
are  constructed  on  an  improved  plan.  The  elements  are  zinc  and 
carbon,  and  are  arranged  in  couples,  and  securely  clamped  to  hard 
rubber  plates  with  thumb-screws.  Any  of  the  couples  can  be  re- 
moved by  simply  loosening  a  screw.  In  this  battery  the  plates  are 
brought  very  near  together,  thus  preventing  the  great  internal  re- 
sistance unavoidable  in  many  other  batteries.  The  cells  are  made 
in  sections  of  six,  composed  of  one  solid  piece  of   hard  rubber.     By 


Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus. 


13 


this  arrangement  one  section  can  be  handled,  emptied,  and  cleaned 
as  easily  and  as  quickly  as  one  cell.  A  hard  rubber  drip-cup  is 
placed  by  the  side  of  each  section  of  cells  to  receive  the  zinc  and 
carbon  plates  when  removed  from  the  cells. 

Fig.  7  shows  the  hard  rubber  plates  of  a  section  of  elements.  Fig. 
8  shows  a  section  of  six  cells  made  of  one  piece  of  hard  rubber,  and 
a  drip-cup  of  the  same  material  to  receive  the  zinc  and  carbon 
couples  when  not  in  use. 

The  hard  rubber  on  which  the  couples  are  clamped  projects  over 
on  one  side  enough  to  cover  the  cells,  when  the  zinc  and  carbon 
plates  are  reversed  and  placed  in  the  drip-cups.  The  under  side  of 
this  projection  is  covered  with  soft  rubber.    When  the  cells  are  not  in 


use,  this  is  clamped  over  them  by  means  of  thumb-screws  and 
spring  bolts.  By  this  arrangement  the  cells  are  made  water-tight, 
and  the  battery  may  be  carried  from  place  to  place  without  danger 
of  spilling  the  fluid. 

Fig.  9  represents  a  faradic  battery  of  this  make,  which  we  will 
refer  to  again  when  we  reach  the  construction  and  workings  of  fa- 
radic machines.  In  this  illustration  is  shown  the  famous  cable  con- 
ducting cords  used  in  these  batteries.  They  are  made  with  a 
spiral  copper  wire,  insulated,  inside  of  which  is  a  bundle  of  small 
copper  wires  surrounding  a  strong  cord.     The  tips  are  securely  fas- 


14 


Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus. 


tened  to  the  spiral  wire,  which  makes  the  connection  perfect.  In 
using  any  of  the  M'Intosh  batteries,  these  cords  are  attached  to 
the  posts  on  the  battery,  the  distal  ends  being  fastened  to  the  elec- 
trodes. One  of  these  conducting  cords  is  bifurcated,  or  forked, 
either  division  of  which  may  be  attached  to  the  battery.  This 
forked  end  is  for  the  purpose  of  preventing  a  shock  while  changing 
to  a  less  or  greater  number  of  cells  while  using  the  galvanic  cur- 
rent. For  example :  Suppose  you  are  using  six  cells.  One  of  the 
bifurcated  ends  would  be  connected  with  cell  No.  6,  and  the  other 
end  hanging  loose.  If  you  wish  to  use,  say,  twelve  cells,  you  can 
take  up  the  loose  end  of  the  bifurcated  cord  and  connect  it  with 
No.  12,  and  then  pull   the    other   end    out    from    No.  6.     Thus  all 


Fig.  10. 

shock  is  avoided.  This  arrangement  takes  the  place  of  the  com- 
mutator which  was  referred  to  in  the  Stohrer  and  Bartlett  batteries. 
This  is  a  simple  arrangement,  and  could  not  be  more  satisfactory  in 
any  way. 

Fig.  ID  shows  a  twelve-cell  combined  galvanic  and  faradic  bat- 
tery of  the  M'Intosh  make.  The  case  is  polished  black  walnut, 
8}4  inches  long,  8  inches  wide,  7^  inches  high,  metal  work  all 
nickel-plated,  lock  and  handle,  sponge  electrodes,  and  cable  con- 
ducting cords,  as  above  described,  all  put  up  in  the  very  best  of 
workmanship  style. 


Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus. 


15 


Fig.  II  represents  another  form  of  a  twelve-cell  combined  gal- 
vanic and  faradic  battery  made  by  M'Intosh.  This  is  a  beautiful 
battery,  too,  same  size  and  finish  as  Fig.  10.  These  are  exceedingly 
fine  instruments   for  a  general  practice      Thev  are   safely  carried 


Fig.  n. 
about,  and  you   always  have  with  you  a  faradic  and  galvanic  bat- 
tery at  the  same  time. 

Fig,  12  represents  a  twenty-four  cell  combined  galvanic  and 
faradic  battery  of  the  same  manufacture.  Size,  15  inches  long,  8j4 
inches  wide,  7  j^  inches  high,  with  lock  and  handle;  weighs  less  than 
eighteen  pounds.  This  battery  gives  a  galvanic  current  of  great 
intensity,  sufficient  to  treat  almost  any  case  coming  in  the  range  of 
a  physician's  practice.  And  the  beauty  of  this  instrument  is,  we 
can  reverse  one  section  of  elements  al  a  time  when  no  more  is 
needed,  thus  saving  the  elements  of  all  other  sections  for  future  use. 
But  where  one  section  does  not  give  us  sufficient  intensity,  we  re- 
verse another  section,  lifting  it  out  of  the  drip-cup  and  placing  it  in 
the  battery  fluid  in  the  cells.  This  arrangement  is  certainly  a 
commendable  feature. 

Special  instructions,  well  illustrated,  are  sent  out  with  all  these 
instruments,  so  that   a  mere    novice    can    operate  them  without    a 


i6 


Electricity  and  Elfctrical  Apparatus. 


teacher.  We  have  used  these  galvanic  batteries  and  know  them  to 
be  what  they  are  represented  to  be — simple,  efficient,  and  practical 
in  every  regard.  When  we  reach  therapeutics,  these  different  instru- 
ments will  be  referred  to  again,  and  careful  instructions  regarding 
their  use  will  ])e  clearly  set  forth. 

Fig.  13  represents  the  Piffard 
galvano-cautery,  as  made  by  the 
Galvano-Faradic  Manufacturing 
Company,  of  New  York.  For 
ihe  purpose  of  cauterizing,  gal- 
vanic batteries  are  constructed 
with  reference  to  quantity.  The 
elements  are  zinc  and  carbon, 
and  the  battery  fluid  the  same  as 
in  ordinary  galvanic  batteries 
described  in  the  first  part  of  this 
monograph.  This  battery  of  the 
Piffard  style  is  composed  of  large 
zinc-carbon  elements,  which  are 
contained  in  cells  of  vulcanite, 
j,-j„  J..  and  can  be  suspended  on  a  mov- 


Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus. 


17 


able  arm  screwed  into  the  box.  When  lowered  into  the  fluid,  the 
top  of  the  elements,  which  is  made  of  hard  rubber,  contains  two  lat- 
eral bars  supporting  them,  and  which  permits  of  a  rocking  motion 
to  keep  this  exciting  fluid  agitated.  This  is  a  very  efficient  gal- 
vano-caustic  battery,  a  complete  and  reliable  instrument,  powerful, 
portable,  compact,  and  so  free  from  complications  and  easy  of  man- 
agement that  any  physician  can  understand  it  and  operate  with  it. 
It  is  adapted  to  meet  all  cases  usually  treated  with  this  class  of  in- 
struments. In  its  construction  each  element  is  utilized  to  the  full- 
est extent.  The  parts  can  be  easily  replaced,  and  the  surgeon  liv- 
ing at  a  distance  can  duplicate  them  and  adjust  them  without  diffi- 
culty. Size,  9  inches  lonf,  6^  inches  wide,  and  10  inches  high. 
Weight,  15  pounds. 


Fig.  u. 

These  cuts  (Fig.  14)  represent  the  instruments  used  in  galvano- 
caustic  operations.  Universal  handle ;  handle  for  cutting  loop 
when  one  hand  only  is  at  liberty;  burners  of  various  shapes. 

The  use  and  application  of  this  battery  will  be  fully  explained 
and  clearly  illustrated  later  in  the  work. 

So  far  as  a  description  of  galvanic  batteries  is  concerned,  we  think 
we  have  shown  a  sufficient  variety,  and  with  what  may  be  said  about 
them  incidentally  in  using  them  upon  different  patients  and  in  dif- 
ferent cases,  we  think  the  reader  should  finally  have  a  very  good 
understanding  of  them.  Faradic  machines  will  next  engage  our 
attention. 


iH  Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus. 


FARADIC  MACHINES. 


The  chief  object  sought  in  the  construction  of  faradic  machines, 
is  to  obtain  a  current  of  electricity  or  mode  of  motion  that  will 
excite  nen'ous  and  muscular  functions.  The  simple  galvanic  cur- 
rent excites  these  functions  to  a  limited  degree,  but  its  great 
merits  depend  more  upon  the  changes  wrought  in  the  structures, 
fluids  and  solids  of  -the  parts  by  the  passing  galvanic  current. 
The  faradic  current  influences,  mainly,  the  nervous  system.  The 
galvanic  cuiTent  produces  a  change  in  al^  the  tissues,  but  its  direct 
influence  upon  the  nen'ous  system  is  comparatively  limited ;  but, 
indirectly,  wonderful  changes  in  the  nen'ous  system  frequently 
result  from  the  use  of  galvanism.  All  this  will  engage  our  atten- 
tion further  on.  What  we  particularly  desire  to  place  before  the 
reader  now  is  this :  The  faradic  current  or  the  current  coming 
from  electro-magnetic  machines,  is  the  great  nei-ve  stimulant  and 
tonic :  under  its  influence  upon  the  neivous  system  the  processes 
of  waste  and  repair  are  increased,  nutrition  is  improved;  "the 
sti'engthened  brain  sends  more  nervous  force  to  the  stomach,  by 
which  the  latter  is  enabled  to  send  better  blood  to  the  brain." 

The  galvanic  current  is  a  direct  and  continuous  current,  as  fully 
described  in  the  foregoing  pages.  The  faradic  current  is  an 
indirect  or  Induced  current ;  and  it  is  an  interrupted  current.  The 
electricity'  producing  the  faradic  cun^ent  is  the  same  as  that  of  the 
galvanic  cuiTent,  and  may  come  from  the  same  battery,  bu^ 
through  intervening  machinery  the  current  or  mode  of  motion  is 
greatly  modified  before  it  reaches  the  patient.  In  the  production 
of  a  galvanic  current  we  may  use  a  smgle  cell,  or  we  may  unite 
the  force  and  influence  of  many  cells,  which  we  find  positively 
necessary  in  the  successful  use  of  galvanism.  We  may  iise  two 
or  more  cells,  with  the  faradic  current,  but  one  cell  with  the  pro- 
per eleinents  and  exciting  fluid,  is  generally  quite  enough  for  all 
practical  puiposes,  and  nearly  all  the  faradic  machines  in  the 
market  are  conshaicted  with  one  cell.  The  elements  may  be 
zinc  and  carbon,  and  the  exciting  fluid  the  same  as  that  used  in 
the  galvanic  batteries  heretofore  described.  Or  the  elements  may 
6e  zinc  and  platinum,  and  the  exciting  fluid  dilute  sulphuric  acid. 


Electricity  axd  Electrical  Apparatus. 


19 


These  are  called  Smee's  elements.  Or  the  elements  maybe  zinc 
and  carbon,  and  an  exciting  fluid  produced  by  the  use  of  bi-sul- 
phate  of  mercury  and  water.  Gaiffe's  celebrated  French  pocket 
batteries  are  of  this  construction.  The  following  illustrations  will 
ser\-e  to  give  the  reader  a  -sery  good  idea  of  the  battery  cells  and 
elements  refen^ed  to : 

Fig.  15.  Shows  a  battery  cell  where  zinc  and  carbon  arc  used 
as  elements,  and  a  solution  of  bichromate  of  potash,  and  sul- 
phuric acid  as  the  exciting  fluid. 

In  principle  this  is  the  same  as  the 
cells  of  all  zinc  and  carbon  galvanic 
batteries ;  the  only  difference  is  in  the 
shape  of  the  single  cell,  which  is  so  con- 
stnicted  as  to  adapt  it  to  the  accompany- 
ing: machiner\-. 


Fig.  16.  Represents 
the  Smee  battery  cell 
the  elements  being 
zinc  and  platinum, 
and  the  exciting  fluid 
Fig.  15.  sulphuric    acid    and 

water — one  part  acid  to  ten  of  water. 

The  physician's  improved  electro-magnetic 
machine,  manufactured  bv  Aloe  &  Hernstein, 
of  St.  Louis,  is   operated  by  this  cell.      And  I'M-  '''• 

the  famous  electro-magnetic  machines  of  Kidder  are  constructed 
with  this  cell,  onlv  the  shape  of  the  cell,  and  management  of  the 
elements  differ  a  little. 

Fig.  17.  Shows  Smee's  elements  and  cell  as  manufactured 
by  Kidder.  The  elements  are  suspended  from  rubber  stopper 
in  round  jar.  3^  inches  in  diameter.  In  all  these  batteries,  the 
zinc-carbon  and  zinc-platinum,  the  elements  have  to  be  re- 
moved from  the  fluid  when  the  instruments  are  not  in  use, 
else  the  fluid  would  destroy  the  zincs.  In  the  zinc-carbon 
cell  the  elements  are  raised  by  a  hinged  rod  which  is  turned 
down  when    the  elements    are    raised    out  of   the    fluiil.      In  the 


20 


Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus. 


cell  containing   Smee's   elements,    a   drip    cup   is    provided,   and 

the  elements  lifted  out  of  the  fluid 
and  placed  in  the  drip  cup  when  the 
instrument  is  not  in  use. 


Yis.  18 


Fig.  17.  MiSSSSimMm 

Fig.  10. 

Figs.  i8  and  19  show  Kidder's  improvement  upon  this  plan.  He 
has  constructed  a  cell  that  when  turned  right  end  up  keeps  the 
elements  immersed  in  the  exciting  fluid ;  when  it  becomes  neces- 
sary to  stop  the  action  of  the  instrument,  a  simple  tip  describing 
a  quarter  circle  elevates  the  elements  and  lowers  the  fluid  so  that 
they  are  entirely  separated. 

This  is  a  great  convenience,  and  all  of  Kidder's  tip  batteries, 
as  he  calls  them,  are  furnished  with  this  cell. 

Zinc  and  carbon  elements  with  an  exciting  fluid  made  of  bi- 
sulphide of  mercury  and  water  are  used  with  various  pocket  elec- 
tro-magnetic machines  in  the  market,  and  will  be  referred  to 
under  the  description  of  these  instruments. 

So  far  as  cells,  elements  and  exciting  fluids  are  concerned  the 
above  should  be  quite  sufficient,  and  we  now  introduce  a  variety 
of  electro-magnetic  machines  complete. 

Fig.  30.      Represents  a  fine  instrument  of  this  class,  manufac- 


Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus. 


tured  by  the  Galvano-Faradic  Manufacturing-  Co.,  of  New  York. 
The  elements  are  zinc  and  carbon,  suspended  by  hinged  rod,  as 
heretofore  described. 

The  introchiction 
of  this  instrument 
calls  for  a  descrip- 
tion of  the  machin- 
ery placed  in  the 
circuit  of  the  gal- 
vanic current,  which 
converts  it  into  a 
faradic  current.  And 
now,  let  us  keep 
in  mind  that  we  have 
before  us  a  single 
cell,  like  that  in  the 
galvanic  battei'ies 
already  described ; 
that  the  battery  fluid 
coming  in  contact 
with  the  zinc  excites 
chemical  action, 
Fio'.  20.  which  results  in  the 

(evolution  of  electricity ;  that  the  carbon  in  the  cell  attracts  and 
conducts  this  electricity  out  of  the  fluid  as  it  is  generated ;  that  if 
a  wire  is  attached  to  the  upper  end  of  the  carbon  outside  of  the 
fluid,  and  connected  with  another  wire  attached  to  the  upper  end 
of  the  zinc  outside  of  the  fluid,  we  have  a  simple  galvanic  cur- 
rent— a  continuous  direct  current. 

Now  in  the  construction  of  a  machine  to  produce  a  faradic  or 
induced  current,  instead  of  attaching  a  short  wire  to  the  carbon, 
a  longer  wire  is  used,  ten  to  twenty  feet.  This  is  insulated  and 
wound  upon  a  hollow  spool,  or  bobbin,  one  round  upon  another. 
Then  a  still  longer  and  smaller  wire,  perfectly  insulated,  is  loose- 
ly wound  upon  this  bobbin,  and  when  all  wound  up  we  call  this 
the  faradic  coil,  or  helix  of  the  machine.  The  rounds  of  wire 
composing  this  helix  or  coil  are  parallel  with  each  other.  Now, 
if  the  current  in  the  first  wii'e  is  broken,  a  current  is  srenerated  in 


32  '  Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus. 

the  second  wire  by  induction,  the  electricity  passing  through  the 
intei-\-ening  molecules  of  air.  If  the  current  in  the  first  wire  is 
again  closed  or  caused  to  flow,  another  current  is  generated  in  the 
second  wire,  by  induction,  but  in  an  opposite  direction ;  hence 
the  current  in  the  second  w4re,  which  is  an  induced  current,  is 
not  a  continuous  current,  but  a  succession  of  currents,  resulting 
from  breaking  and  opening  the  main  current.  And  this  induced 
current  is  a  to  and  fro  current.  For  the  purpose  of  breaking  the 
main  current,  and  producing  the  induced  current,  the  wire  con- 
ducting the  current  from  the  battery  cell  is  so  connected  with  an 
automatic  hammer  that  the  current  is  rapidly  broken  and  renewed, 
which  results  in  a  rapid  succession  of  to  and  fro  currents  in  the 
second  wire.  The  spool  upon  which  the  coils  of  wire  are  wovuid 
is  hollow,  and  in  this  a  bundle  of  soft  iron  wires,  each  carefully 
insulated  is  placed.  The  currents  flowing  through  the  wires  sur- 
rounding this  bundle  of  iron  wires  magnetize  this  bundle,  and, 
while  thus  magnetized  it  reacts  upon  the  coil  and  greatly  strength- 
ens the  current  in  the  wire.  In  this  way  the  faradic  coil  is  greatly 
dependent  upon  magnetism  for  its  force.  Being  wonderfully 
strengthened  by  the  bundle  of  wires  that  become  magnetic  under 
the  influence  of  the  galvanic  current,  we  say  electro-magnetic 
when  speaking  of  these  instruments. 

From  the  above  it  will  be  seen  that  the  simple  galvanic  current, 
in  passing  through  different  coils  of  wire  parallel  with  each  other, 
strengthened  by  a  magnetic  core,  and  rapidly  broken,  causing 
to  and  fro  currents,  must  be  greatly  modified  when  it  reaches  the 
patient ;  and  so  it  is.  While  the  to  and  fro  character  of  these 
currents  destroys,  almost  entirely,  the  electrolic  force  of  the  cur- 
rents, the  power  of  exciting  the  nervous  system  and  producing 
muscular  contraction  is  wonderfully  increased  ;  and  this  is  further 
strengthened  by  the  magnetic  influence  of  the  core  or  bundle  of 
iron  wires  in  the  helix. 

Fig.  21.  Represents  the  Physician's  improved  electro-mag- 
netic machine,  as  manufactured  by  Aloe  &  Hernstein,  of  St.  Louis. 
It  has  two  cells,  (acting  independent)  ;  in  case  one  gets  broken 
or  exhausted,  the  other  is  in  reserve  ;  the  two  cells  can  be  united 
when  extra  power  is  required,  as  in  case  of  suspended  ajiimation. 
It   has    a  three  section  coil,  and  is  therefore  well  adapted  for  the 


Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus.  33 

medical    profession,    ns    a    tension  and  quantity  can  be  obtained, 
which    are    very    essential  for  the  electric  treatment.      When  the 


Fig.  21. 

pole  cords  are  connected  to  Post  i  and  3,  and  the  switch  is  turned 
on  the  No.  i  Switch  Post,  a  mild  current  without  quantity  is  ob- 
tained. By  placing-  the  switch  on  the  next  post,  (or  Xo.  2),  the 
current  is  stronger  and  some  quantity  is  obtained.  By  placing 
the  switch  on  the  next  or  last  post  No.  3),  a  2Dowerful  cuiTcnt 
which  contains  quantity  and  tension  combined  is  perceptible. 
Remove  the  switch  entirely  from  all  of  the  posts,  place  the  pole 
cord  which  is  in  No.  i  into  No.  3  post,  and  you  will  obtain  a 
strict  primary  current.  This  battery  is  perfect!}'  portable,  as  the 
elements  are  removed  and  placed  in  separate  cups,  while  the  cells 
wdiich  hold  the  fluid  are  each  closed  with  a  well  fitting  rubber 
stopper.  Switch  4  is  for  breaking  the  current  bv  removing  it 
from    the    post    on    which    it    rests ;    it  stops  the  working  of  the 


24 


Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus. 


battery.  The  helix,  or  coil,  which  is  one  of  the  main  parts  that 
constitute  an  electric  machine,  should  be  well  guarded  against 
dampness  or  impure  atmosphere ;  we  have  therefore  taken  the 
precaution  in  this  battery  (so  that  nothing  of  the  kind  can  happen) 
to  place  a  hard  rubber  jacket  over  the  helix,  which  is  the  best 
insulator  that  can  be  had.  Complete  with  Spoxge  Handle 
Electrodes,  Battery  Nickel-Plated. 

Fig.  22.  Represents  Kidder's  No.  i.  Physician's  office  elec- 
tro-medical apparatus,  large  size  having  four  coils  of  wire  in  the 
the  helix,  and  ten  currents. 

There  is  some- 
times a  demand 
for  a  large  range 
of  effect,  and  to 
meet  this  Dr. 
Kidder  has  furn- 
ished a  four  coil 
helix,  developing 
ten  cuiTents  from 
the  different  com- 
binations prodi  c- 
ed  by  ranging  the 
two  posts  select- 
ed for  the  positive 
a  n  d  negative. 
The  fouith  coil  is 
conditioned  t  o 
pi'oduce  electric- 
Fjo-.  22.  ity  in  such  a  ratio 

of  quantity  and  intensity,  when  used  in  combination  with  all  the 
other  coils  as  will  go  beyond  the  range  of  the  greatest  effect  on 
the  muscles,  and  into  the  range  of  soothing  electricty,  and  with 
mild  power,  it  will  exercise  the  function  of  vision  showing  glim- 
ering  light,  without  producing  pain.  The  power  of  these  currents 
is  increased  or  diminished  at  pleasure.  Full  directions  for  use 
accompany  the  instrument. 

Fig.  23.  Represents  a  four  coil  apparatus  of  Kidder's  make, 
and  intended  for  a  physician's  visiting  machine.     It  produces  ten 


Electricity  and  Electiiical  Apparatus. 


25 


currents,  the  same  as  No.  i.  It  is  of  compact  form,  constantly- 
ready  for  use  many  weeks  without  attention. 

The  coil-box 
stands  upright  in 
one  end  of  the 
case  where  it  is 
hinged.  By 
springs  under- 
neath the  hinges 
that  fasten  the 
coil-box  to  the 
case,  the  battery 
is  connected  to 
operate  the  coils 
w  h  e  n  turned 
Fio-.  23.  down    to   a  hori- 

zontal position,  as  seen  in  the  figure.  If  ever  desired,  the  coil- 
box  can  be  detached  and  connected  with  any  other  battery  by 
the  two  screw  cups  on  the  back  part.  This  machine  is  about  6 
inches  long,  3^  wide,  and  six  inches  deep,  and  has  a  metallic 
handle  on  the  lid  for  canying. 

Fig.  34.      Shows  Gaiffe's  Pocket  Electro-Medical  Apparatus. 
This   is  a  fine  machine-,  and  is  very  popular  with  all  electricians. 


Fig.  24. 

This  battery  is  put  in  motion  by  putting  a  half  a  teaspoonful 
of  bi-sulphate  of  mercury  in  each  of  the  carbon  vats  or  trays,  and 
adding  a  little  \vater,  then  unmersing  in  the  vats  the  zincs  belong- 
ing to  the  battery. 

This  battery  runs,  without  being  recharged,  during  a  sitting  of 


36 


Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus, 


an  hour,  or  for  two  sittings  of  a  half  hour,  and  gives  three  cur- 
rents. 1st,  The  extra  current.  3d,  The  inductive  current.  3d, 
A  combination  of  the  two,  in  greater  intensity.  Though  the  re- 
sults of  these  currents  may  be  the  same  physiologicall}',  yet  they 
present  a  series  of  increasing  effects  which  may  be  varied  at  ^vill, 
beginning  with  a  current  so  mild  as  scarcely  to  be  perceptible, 
and  being  gradually  increased  to  one  of  great  intensity.  When 
the  battery  is  charged  with  the  bi-sulphate  of  mercury  and  water, 
it  gives  rise  to  no  odor.  All  its  parts  are  perfectly  adjusted,  and 
do  not  readily  get  out  of  order.  Extra  troughs  may  be  obtained 
at  a  small  cost,  thus  enabling  the  physician  to  leave  one  with  each 
patient  whom  he  treats  by  electricity.  This  arrangement  also 
diminishes  the  weight  of  the  apparatus.  The  whole  machine  is 
in  form  of  a  case,  y^  inches  long,  4  inches  wide  and  i^  inches 
thick,  weighing  only  24  oimces,  including  therein  the  electrodes, 
etc. ,  contained  in  the  case.  Nothing  protrudes  from  the  exterior. 
It  is,  in  fact,  a  pocket  instrument,  combining  with  compactness 
and  durability  all  the  qualities  of  superior  electro-medical  appara- 
tuses. 

Fig.    25.     Represents   Kidder's   pocket   induction  apparatus, 
which  he  claims  to  be  superior  to  anything  of  the  kind. 


Fig.  25. 

This  apparatus  has  very  expensive  coils  so  as  to  get  the  desired 
ranges  in  the  qualities  of  currents,  in  a  very  small  space.  It 
operates  by  means  of  a  very  little  bi-sulphate  of  mercury,  gives 
very  strong  power,  and  is  very  satisfactory  in  its  operation. 
Two  handles  and  sponge-clasps  with  conducting  cords  accompany 
each  apparatus. 

Fig.  26.  Represents  Dr.  Hathaway' s  Electro-Magnetic  Chair. 


Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus. 


27 


The  object  of  this  invention  is  to  provide  a  simple  and  convenient 
apparatus  for  the  transmission  of  electrical  currents  through  all 
parts  of  the  human  body  and  in  different  directions.  It  consists 
of  a  chair  (or  a  bed,  lounge  or  water  bath  may  be  used)  provided 
with  a  suitable  battery,  wires  and  switches,  by  means  of  which 
currents  of  electricity  may  be  passed  through  the  body  of  the 
patient  sitting  therein,  such  currents  being  under  the  absolute 
control  of  the  attendant,  who  can  send  them  at  will,  first  in  one 
direction,  and  then  in  another,  as  desired. 

The  special  application  of 
this  powerful  remedial  agent  to 
any  particular  portions  of  the 
person  has,  thus  far,  been  at- 
tended with  great  inconven- 
ience. So  far  as  known  to  me, 
it  has  never  been  done  without 
the  removal  of  the  patient's 
clothing,  and  the  passing  of  the 
current  by  means  of  a  sponge 
or  like  substance  over  the  sur- 
face of  the  body. 

In  using  this  apparatus,  it  is 
Fig.  2G.  only   necessary  that  the  hands 

and  feet  should  be  bared.  The  patient  sits  comfortably  in  a 
chair,  and  when  the  switches  are  yjlaced  in  a  proper  position,  the 
current  is  made  to  enter  the  right  foot,  pass  up  the  right  leg, 
cross  through  the  pelvis  into  the  left  leg,  and  down  out  of  the 
body  by  the  left  foot.  If  now  the  switches  be  changed,  the  posi- 
tive current  enters  the  left  foot,  makes  the  circuit,  and  goes  out 
of  the  right.  In  this  way  I  am  enabled  to  pass  the  electricity 
through  the  pelvic  portions  of  the  body,  which  heretofore  it  has 
been  almost  impossible  to  reach. 

In  a  similar  manner,  the  proper  connections  being  made,  the 
currents  will  enter  the  body  by  either  hand,  pass  up  the  arm, 
cross  the  thorax  to  the  other  arm,  and  leave  by  the  opposite 
hand.  The  switches  may  also  be  placed  so  that  the  electricity 
will  enter  both  hands,  pass  through  the  entire  system,  and  out  by 
both  feet. 


28  Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus. 

The  management  of  this  apparatus  is  easily  learned,  and  as  the 
changes  are  made  at  intervals  of  five  minutes,  one  attendant  can, 
without  difficulty,  attend  to  four  chairs  at  the  same  time. 

I  know  this  to  be  a  convenient  invention  for  the  administration 
of  this  powerful  therapeutic  agent  without  giving  the  patient  any 
trouble  whatever.  When  in  Chicago,  at  the  National  Conven- 
tion, I  took  the  pains  to  call  at  Dr.  Hathaway's  office,  and  ex- 
amine this  Chair,  as  he  had  it  in  operation.  I  wanted  one 
immediately,  for  it  is  so  convenient.  Many  people  are  benefited 
by  electricity,  but  the  use  of  it,  as  ordinarily  applied,  requires  so 
much  time  and  care  that  the  busy  practitioner  can  hardly  afford 
to  appropriate  it.  But  this  invention  does  away  with  the  ob- 
jections. It  is  easily  managed,  pleasant  to  the  patient,  and  in 
many  cases  where  electro-magnetism  is  required,  it  is  the  thing. 
I  am  greatly  pleased  with  it,  and  will  freely  give  any  information 
I  can  in  regard  to  it ;  or  I  will  take  pleasure  in  showing  the  chair 
to  anybody  who  may  take  the  trouble  to  call  at  my  office  where 
it  may  be  seen  in  operation. 

Of  course  we  do  not  pretend  that  everything  in  the  way  of 
faradization  can  be  done  through  this  chair,  for  we  sometimes 
desire  to  localize  the  faradic  current,  and  where  this  is  the  case 
we  resort  to  a  Sponge  electrode.  But  in  the  scores  of  cases  of 
nervous  exhaustion  that  come  to  us,  where  general  faradization  is 
the  thereapeutic  agent,  then  this  chair  is  a  real  luxury.  I  would 
not  be  without  it  and  engage  to  treat  diseases  of  the  nervous 
system. 

Having  described  and  illustrated  a  variety  of  galvanic  batteries 
and  faradic  machines,  we  now  present  some  important  attach- 
ments used  in  connection  with  galvanic  batteries  for  special  and 
important  purposes. 

Galvaitometers^  or  Galvanoscopcs. — These  are  instruments 
used  for  ascertaining  the  presence  and  direction  of  a  current, 
and  for  measuring  the  strength  of  the  same.  They  are  con- 
structed on  this  principle:  A  magnet  is  freely  hung  so  as  to  be 
deflected  by  the  passage  of  a  current  through  a  coil  of  msulated 
wire. 


Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus. 


39 


Fig.  27  is  an  illustration  of  a  very  fine  galvanoscope.  It  may- 
be readily  attached  to  any  battery ;  and  if  a  cuiTent  is  running,  the 
needle  will  be  deflected  in  the  direction  of  the  current.  If  the 
needle  turns  to  the  left,  we  know  the  negative  pole  is  on  that 
side ;  if  to  the  right,  then  we  know  the  negative  pole  is  to  the 
risrht. 


Fig.  27. 
The  number  of  degrees  of  deflection  shown  by  the  needle  indi- 
cates the  strength  of  the  current.  In  this  way,  we  can  know  ex- 
actly what  we  are  doing ;  know  the  direction  of  the  current,  its 
strength,  etc.  ;  and  this  is  very  important  in  many  cases  of  gal- 
vano-therapeutics.  Other  varieties  of  galvanoscopes  are  made, 
and  in  use,  but  this  is  a  good  one,  and  easily  managed  by  any- 
body who  can  operate  a  battery.  To  use  it,  we  simply  attach  the 
conducting  cords  of  the  battery  to  the  posts  of  the  galvanoscope 
and  the  electric  current  is  closed. 


30 


Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus. 


Rheotomes. — A  rheotome  is  a  contrivance  for  interrupting  the 
electric  current.  Without  something  of  this  kind  we  could  not 
have  an  induced  current,  for  this  is  only  present  in  the  secondary 
coil,  at  the  opening  and  closing  of  the  primary  current.  By 
means  of  the  rheotome,  the  primary  current  is  broken  and  closed 
rapidly,  so  that  the  induced  current  seems  almost  like  a  continu- 
ous one.  We  also  use  the  rheotome  on  galvanic  batteries.  By 
interrupting  the  galvanic  current,  we  can  frequently  excite  mus- 
cular contraction  more  perfectly  and  powerfully  than  can  be  done 
by  applying  the  faradic  current.  But  the  interrupted  galvanic  cur- 
rent is  not  like  the  induced  faradic  current — a  to-and-fro  current — 
but  a  succession  of  straightforward  currents. 

Fig.  28  is  an  illustration   of  Powell's  rheotome.     These  in- 


Fiii".  L>8. 


strniments — any  of  them  in  the  market — may  be  attached  to  any 
battery ;  and  some  galvanic  batteries  are  provided  with  them  as 
permanent  attachments.  See  the  illustration  of  Bartlett's  gal- 
vanic battery,  and  it  will  be  observed  that  the  rheotome  is  per- 


Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus. 


manently  fixed  on  it.  Their  use  is  very  simple.  In  all  faradic 
machines,  they  are  essentially  a  part  of  the  instrument,  and  run 
whenever  the  battery  is  put  in  motion.  In  galvanic  batteries, 
they  have  to  be  properly  connected,  placed  in  the  circuit  of  the 
current  every  time  we  use  the  battery.  This  is  readily  done ; 
and  all  batteries  are  accompanied  with  specific  instructions  re- 
garding the  manner  of  operating  them  and  applying  the  attach- 
ments. 

Rheostats. — Rheostats  are  used  for  the  purpose  of  modifying 
the  current  of  electricity.  They  are  placed  in  the  circuit  of  the 
current,  iu  the  course  of  the  conducting  wire  leading  from  the 
carbon  of  the  battery  to  the  patient,  in  the  positive  pole,  while 
the  negative  pole  of  the  battery  is  continuous,  nothing  interven- 
ing between  the  battery  and  the  patient  but  the  negative  pole  of 
the  battery. 

Fig.  29  is  a  form  of  rheostat  called  a  hydro-rheostat. 

This  is  a  very  reliable  rheostat, 
and  is  easily  managed.  The  glass 
tube  seen  in  this  illustration  is 
filled  with  water,  and  the  con- 
struction is  such  that  the  current 
may  be  made  to  pass  through  the 
water  in  this  tube  from  bottom  to 
top,  or  but  a  limited  portion  of  it 
may  be  traversed  by  the  current. 
In  this  way  we  may  greatly  soften 
the  current  and  produce  exceed- 
ingly delicate  shades  or  grades  of 
sensation.  Othe!*'  forms  of  rheo- 
stats are  used ;  but  this  is  as  good 
as  any,  and  is  so  easily  managed. 
The  general  practitioner  may 
not  see  the  necessity  of  such  in- 
struments as  these  ;  but  when  we 
have  nervous  diseases  of  all  varieties  to  handle,  and  sensitive  or- 
gans like  the  eye,  ear  and  brain  to  treat,  it  sometimes  becomes 
positively  necessary  to  resort  to  rheostats  before  we  can  employ 


Fis.  29. 


32 


Elkctricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus. 


electricity  at  all.  While  rheotomes  are  used  to  increase  the  ex- 
citing power  of  the  current,  which  is  sometimes  necessary,  rheo- 
stats are  used  to  soften  the  current,  or  produce  delicate  grades  of 
sensation.  This  will  be  referred  to  again,  when  we  reach  thera- 
peutics. 

ELECTRO-THERAPEUTICS. 

Electricity  is  simply  a  force,  and  like  all  other  therapeutic 
measures,  must  be  rightly  applied  if  we  expect  to  accomplish 
much  good  with  it.  To  be  sure,  a  mere  novice  may  relieve  and 
cure  people  with  electricity,  knowing  but  little  about  what  he  is 
doing.  But  this  is  accidental,  and  such  ignorant  practitioners 
are  liable  to  do  as  much  harm  as  good.  Before  we  undertake  to 
apply  this  potent  agent  to  the  cure  of  disease,  we  should  study 
its  physiological  effects,  that  we  may  be  able  to  use  it  as  we 
would  any  other  therapeutic  agent,  for  a  direct  and  definite  pur- 
pose. It  is  not  sufficient  for  us  to  say  our  patient  is  nei-vous,  and 
that  electricity  is  a  remedy  for  nervousness.  No,  this  is  not  a 
satisfactory  conclusion  to  rest  and  practice  upon.  We  want  to 
know  hoxv  our  patient  is  nervous.  Is  the  nervous  system,  or  that 
part  of  the  nervous  system  supplying  the  diseased  organs  in  a 
state  of  hyperaesthetic  excitement,  accompanied  with  pain  ?  or  is 
there  a  high  state  of  irritability,  giving  rise  to  physical  and  men- 
tal distress,  dependent  upon  exhaustion  or  mal-nutrition  ?  or  is 
there  a  semi-paralytic  condition,  with  diminished  sensibility  and 
loss  of  muscular  motion?  The  condition  of  our  patient  must 
first  be  understood,  then  we  may  turn  to  our  batteries  for  a  possi- 
ble remedy.  Well,  what  may  we  expect  from  batteries.?  Our 
answer  is  this :  It  has  been  found  that  electricity  may  be  em- 
ployed in  medicine  and  surgery  for  the  accomplishment  of  various 
ends.  While  its  general  effect  is  largely  manifested  upon  the 
nervous  system,  its  sphere  of  action  is  not  limited  to  the  nervous 
system  alone.  For  its  local  effects,  or  for  a  general  influence, 
electricity  may  be  applied  so  as  to  act  as  a  stimulant,  a  tonic, 
and  as  a  sedative.  Indeed,  these  three  properties  —  stimulant, 
tonic  and  sedative  are  appropriately  given  to  this  agent.     These 


Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus.  33 

properties,  singly  or  in  combination,  are  secured  only  by  and 
through  the  proper  manipulation  of  the  instruments  used  in  gen- 
erating and  conducting  electricity  to  the  body.  For  example: 
if  we  desire  to  stimulate  any  part  of  the>  nervous  system,  we 
may  apply  the  negative  pole  of  an  electro-magnetic  machine 
directly  to  that  part.  The  negative  pole  of  the  induced  current 
is  a  powerful  stimulant,  exciting  muscular  contractions,  increas- 
ing sensibility,  and  when  frequently  applied  for  several  minutes 
at  a  sitting,  nutrition  is  improved,  and  lasting  tonic  effects  result ; 
the  parts  are  invigorated.  Again:  if  it  be  desirable  to  produce 
sedation,  or  quiet  nervous  excitement  in  a  part,  or  relieve  nerv- 
ous irritability  in  weak  and  feeble  people,  we  apply  the  positive 
pole  of  the  faradic  machine  to  the  diseased,  excited  or  irritable 
parts.  Where  there  is  great  excitement  a  mild  current  applied 
with  a  large  sponge  electrode,  attached  to  the  positive  pole,  will 
give  the  desired  results  at  once.  Where  there  is  more  exhaustion, 
yet  unnatural  nei-tous  irritability,  a  stronger  current,  through  the 
positive  i^ole,  should  be  used,  and  soothing  effects  will  result, 
while  the  parts  are  at  the  same  time  greatly  invigorated. 

When  the  faradic  or  induced  cun-ent  is  applied  to  any  particu- 
lar part  of  the  body,  local  faradization  is  the  term  used  in 
expi'essing  the  measure  employed.  Where  the  whole  body  is 
brought  under  the  influence  of  the  induced  current,  general 
faradization  is  the  term  used  to  express  it.  As  above  instanced, 
local  faradization  may  be  had  resoi't  to  where  we  desire  to  apply 
a  direct  stimulant ;  in  which  case,  we  apply  the  negative  pole  to 
the  diseased  part,  and  allow  the  patient  to  hold  the  electrode 
attached  to  the  positive  pole  in  the  hand ;  or  the  positive  pole 
may  be  placed  over  the  course  of  a  nerve,  or  over  the  site  of  its 
origin,  while  the  negative  pole  is  applied  to  the  part  to  be  stimu- 
lated. On  the  other  hand,  when  a  soothing,  sedative  influence 
is  sought,  we  ap[)ly  the  electrode  of  the  positive  pole  to  the  part, 
while  the  negative  is  held  in  the  hand,  or  placed  upon  some  vm- 
important  part  of  the  body.  This  is  all  local  faradization,  so 
called.  Of  course  the  current  is  not  positively  confined  to  the 
diseased  parts,  neither  can  it  be.  We  may,  however,  by  placing 
the  electrodes  of  the  positive  and  negative  poles  near  each  other 
on  the  body,  confine  the  action  to  a  comparatively  small  spot. 


34  Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus 

Th^  following  examples  may  serve  to  illustrate  local  fara- 
dization, and  local  galvanization,  and  their  uses:  Mrs.  K.,  about 
thirty-five  years  of  age,  married,  and  otherwise  healthy,  comes 
to  me  complaining  of  a  partial  loss  of  sensation,  and  a  total  loss 
of  motion  in  the  left  side  of  the  face.  She  is  suffering  from 
what  we  call  facial  paralysis,  or  Bell's  palsy.  She '  cannot 
close  the  left  eye,  in  consequence  of  which  she  suffers  from 
smarting  sensations  in  it,  and  it  looks  red,  while  tears  drop  from 
the  lower  lid.  She  cannot  purse  up  the  mouth  as  in  health,  and 
saliva  continually  drips  from  the  left  side,  greatly  to  her  annoy- 
ance. No  particular  pain  is  suffered,  but  the  inability  to  close 
the  eye,  or  control  the  flow  of  saliva,  with  the  distorted  appear- 
ance of  the  countenance,  together  with  fears  of  a  worse  and 
probable  permanent  indisposition,  excite  great  apprehension,  and 
lead  her  to  seek  counsel,  and  obtain  relief  if  possible. 

The  first  question  coming  to  my  mind  is  this :  I  know  that 
facial  paralysis  may  be  of  a  central  origin,  or  it  may  be  per- 
ipheral ;  that  is,  the  nei^ve  supplying  the  face  may  be  diseased  at 
or  near  its  origin,  in  which  case  we  say  the  disease  is  intra- 
cranial ;  or,  it  may  be  an  impairment  of  that  part  of  the  nerve 
outside  of  the  skull,  in  which  case  we  say  it  is  peripheral  paraly- 
sis. To  which  class  does  our  case  belong  ?  Our  decision  or 
diagnosis  in  the  case  is  of  great  importance  ;  for,  if  the  disease  is 
of  a  central  origin,  the  prognosis  must  be  guarded,  but  if  it  is 
simply  a  peripheral  paralysis,  the  prognosis  is  favorable,  and  a 
positive  and  permanent  cure  may  be  promised. 

This  is  not  our  first  case,  no,  indeed  ;  and  from  the  experience 
and  observation  we  have  had  we  have  learned  to  make  successful 
and  satisfactory  examinations  in  this  class  of  diseases.  Well, 
how  are  we  to  know  whether  this  is  a  case  of  central  or  per- 
ipheral disease  ?  Fii'st,  there  is  no  mental  aberration,  neither  is 
there  any  signs  of  hemiplegia ;  no  sign  of  any  paralysis  except 
of  the  facial  nerve,  whereas,  in  cases  of  central  origin, there  are 
very  apt  to  be  signs  of  paralysis  or  weakness  in  other  parts  of  the 
nervous  system.  But  one  of  the  most  important  and  certain  tests  for 
central,  or  peripheral  paralysis,  is  electricity;  and  I  resorted  to  it 
in  the  case  of  Mrs.  K.    I  have  Kidder's  electro-magnetic  machine, 


Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus.  35 

and  I  tip  the  cup  holding  the  fluid,  attach  the  cords,  upon  the 
distal  ends  of  which  I  attach  sponge  electrodes,  wet  with  warm 
water.  I  place  the  electrode  of  the  positive  pole  on  the  side  of 
the  face  immediately  in  front  of  the  ear,  and  apply  the  negative 
to  the  cheek,  and  move  it  about  over  the  face.  I  commence  with 
a  mild  current ;  but  as  no  muscular  contraction  results,  I  increase 
the  strength  by  withdrawing  the  cylinder  at  the  side  of  the  ma- 
chine ;  but  still  there  is  no  muscular  contraction.  The  muscles  do 
not  respond  to  the  action  of  the  faradic  current ;  and  this  is  one  of 
the  best  evidences  we  have  that  the  case  is  one  of  peripheral 
origin,  for  if  it  was  of  central  origin  the  response  would  be 
prompt,  but  little  different  from  health.  I  am  pretty  well  satis- 
fied. But  I  have  a  galvanic  battery  on  my  table,  with  a  rheo- 
tome  or  current  interrupter  attached,  and  I  change  the  cords  and 
electrodes  from  the  electro-magnetic  machine  to  this,  turning  on 
twenty-four  cells,  and  connecting  the  rheotome.  I  no\v  place  the 
electrode  of  the  positive  pole  immediately  in  front  of  the  ear,  as 
in  the  case  of  the  faradic  curi'ent,  and  place  the  negative  electrode 
on  the  cheek,  between  the  ear  and  the  mouth,  and  as  I  move  it 
about  over  the  cheek  I  observe  a  drawing  of  the  face.  The  left 
corner  of  the  mouth  moves  toward  the  ear,  and  as  I  move  the 
sponge  toward  the  temple,  the  eye  closes.  All  this  convnices  me 
that  we  have  a  case  of  simple  peripheral  paralysis,  and  we  so 
announce  it,  and  commence  treatment  at  once.  While  we  value 
electricity  highly  as  a  therapeutic  agent,  it  will  be  seen  from  the 
above  that  it  is  a  valuable  resort  in  the  diagnosis  of  nervous 
diseases.  This  may  be  fully  and  clearly  established  in  the  ex- 
amination of  various  cases. 

Having  made  out  our  diagnosis,  we  next  proceed  to  the  treat- 
ment. In  this  case,  local  faradization  is  of  but  little  use  at  first; 
at  least,  the  improvement  will  be  slow  and  the  cure  tedious  if  it  be 
the  sole  dependence.  But  the  interrupted  galvanic  current  which 
takes  a  deeper  effect  than  the  faradic  current,  will,  from  the  very 
first,  improve  the  condition  of  the  patient ;  and  with  the  addition 
of  small  doses  of  strychina,  -^  of  a  grain  three  times  daily,  a 
speedy  cure  may  be  expected,  as  was  really  the  result  in  the  case 
of  Mrs.  K.     In  such  cases,  the  galvanic  battery  should  be  used 


36  Electricity  axd  Electricai,  Apparatus. 

daily,  at  first,  then  every  tvvo  or  three  days,  each  sitting  occupy- 
ino;  from  ten  to  fifteen  minutes.  As  the  case  progresses,  it  will 
be  found  that  the  muscles  will  readily  respond  and  contract  under 
the  influence  of  the  faradic  ctuTent,  when  it  may  be  substituted 
for  the  galyanic  :  in  fact,  it  is  better  now  than  the  galvanic  cuiTcnt. 

The  above  tests  and  treatment  involve  both  local  faradization 
and  local  galvanization  ;  and  it  should  be  obsen-ed  that  while  the 
faradic  current  is  a  powerful  stimulant,  there  are  conditions  where 
the  interrupted  galvanic  current  has  more  influence  in  producing 
muscular  contraction  than  the  faradic  current. 

About  the  middle  of  September,  18S1,  Mrs.  A.,  about  thirty 
years  of  age.  and  mamed.  applied  to  me,  complaining  of  a  lame- 
ness in  the  right  hip,  and  a  numbness  of  the  right  arm.  I  diag- 
nosed the  case  as  one  of  a  rheumatic  nature,  and  prescribed 
accordingly.  On  the  fifth  of  October  following,  she  came  to  me 
again,  and  upon  careful  inquiry  and  examination,  I  gained  a 
coiTect  history  of  the  case,  and  found  her  in  the  following  condi- 
tion :  The  remedies  prescribed  for  the  supposed  rheumatic 
trouble  had  done  her  no  good ;  she  had  not  been  sick,  neither  had 
she  been  exactly  well.  A  few  days  previous  to  her  calling  upon 
me,  she  had  been  attending  the  Fair,  and  while  on  the  ground  she 
experienced  a  peculiar  sensation  in  the  right  side  of  the  neck,  as 
she  expressed  it.  Upon  examination,  I  found  the  location  to 
which  she  referred  as  being  the  spot  where  the  peculiar  sensation 
was  felt,  to  be  just  back  of  the  petrous  portion  of  the  temporal 
bone,  and  extending  to  the  foramen  magnum.  This  was  as 
nearly  as  she  could  point  to  the  location.  She  said  the  sensation 
was  likened  unto  the  report  of  a  pistol,  and  was  immediately  fol- 
lowed by  a  peculiar  numbness  on  the  left  side  of  the  face,  and  an 
inability  to  close  the  left  eye,  or  draw  up  the  left  side  of  the 
mouth.  As  she  gave  me  this  history  I  obsem'cd  that  her  speech 
was  somewhat  impaired,  and  that  she  did  not  wink  the  left 
eve  She  also  walked  lame  ;  could  not  handle  her  right  leg  and 
arm  as  well  as  she  could  the  left.  She  was  evidently  suffering 
from  a  facial  paralysis,  and  threatened  with  hemiplegia.  She 
suffered  from  no  pain ;  there  was  no  tenderness  under  pressure 
anywhere  along  the  spine,  or  about  the  base  of  the  brain.     Her 


Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus.  37 

appetite  was  good,  bowels  regular,   sleep   undisturbed   and    re- 
freshing. 

Now,  this  is  another  case  of  facial  paralysis.  The  same 
quest-on,  is  it  peripheral,  or  is  it  of  a  central  origin,  presents 
itself.  As  hinted  in  the  history  of  our  first  case,  the  accompany- 
ing symptoms  of  weakness  in  the  other  parts  of  the  nen-ous 
system,  especially  the  evidence  of  hemiplegia,  lead  us  to  suspect 
that  this  is  a  case  of  central  origin.  But  we  resort  to  electricity 
again.  We  apply  the  faradic  current  to  the  cheek,  and  we  ob- 
serve that  the  muscles  conti-act  readily  under  its  influence.  As 
we  move  the  electrode  toward  the  eye  the  lid  comes  down,  and 
the  eye  is  closed.  Here  is  another  case  where  electricity  aids  us 
in  confirming  our  diagnosis.  But  what  can  we  do  for  the  case, 
is  the  question.  We  know  we  have  a  serious  case.  We  are 
guarded  in  our  prognosis,  and  only  promise  to  do  what  we  can. 
We  resort  to  local  faradization,  as  in  our  first  case.  We  give 
our  patient  strychnia  and  iodide  of  potassium,  with  other  reme- 
dies having  a  tendency  to  counteract  any  rheumatic  influence  that 
may  be  present.  We  resort  to  local  galvanization,  alternated 
with  local  faradization.  We  use  counter  irritation  over  the  right 
side  of  the  cerebellum,  and  along  the  cervical  portion  of  the 
spine.  In  the  use  of  the  electi-icity  we  always  applied  the  nega- 
tive pole  to  the  cheek,  and  the  positive  over  the  petrous  portion 
of  the  temporal  -bone,  and  over  the  cerebellum.  Mild  currents 
only  could  be  borne.  We  treated  this  patient  about  six  weeks 
without  any  improvement.  But,  upon  the  whole,  she  grew  no 
worse.  She  got  discouraged  and  went  to  another  physician,  and 
I  have  not  learned  the  result. 

We  report  this  case  to  show  the  value  of  electricity  in  confirm- 
ing our  diagnosis  and  helping  us  to  announce  a  correct  prognosis. 
It  also  proves,  to  some  extent,  the  comparative  uselessness  of 
electricity  in  the  treatment  of  some  cases. 

Early  in  the  spring  of  188 1,  Mrs.  G.,  a  raan-ied  lady,  about 
twenty-five  years  of  age,  called  upon  me  for  what  she  called  a 
swelling  and  stiffness  of  the  right  side  of  the  face.  Upon  exam- 
ination, I  found  it  to  be  a  case  of  facial  paralysis.  The  face 
was  not  swollen,  as  she  thought,  but  the  paralyzed  condition  of  it 


38 


Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus. 


made  it  appear  so,  and  gave  the  feeling  of  stiffness.  No  other 
nervous  symptom  was  apparent.  The  faradic  current  produced 
but  little  impression  upon  it ;  but  under  the  influence  of  local 
galvanization  and  the  use  of  strychnia  and  phosphorous,  she  re- 
covered completely  in  about  two  weeks. 

In  the  early  part  of  the  year  1879.  a  young  lady,  about 
eighteen  years  of  age,  was  suddenly  stricken  with  facial  paralysis. 
It  came  on  in  the  night,  she  knowing  nothing  about  its  approach. 
When  she  got  up  in  the  morning  she  discovered  her  distorted 
countenance  ;  and,  although  she  suffered  from  no  bad  or  painful 
feelings,  she  was  apprehensive.  It  was  not  so  that  I  could  treat 
the  case  at  the  time  as  seemed  to  be  required,  so  she  applied  to 
another  physician.  He  resorted  to  the  faradic  cuiTcnt — nothing 
else  ;  and  for  several  weeks  she  remained  about  the  same  thing — 
no  better.  Finally,  however,  she  began  to  improve,  and  made 
a  complete  recovery ;  but  the  cure  was  very  tedious.  Had  the 
galvanic  current  been  used  at  the  commencement,  and  strychnia 
administered  daily,  the  cure  would  have  been  rapid. 

No  disease  co.ming  under  our  obsei^vation  is  more  satisfactorily 
and  successfully  treated  by  electricity  than  facial  paralysis.  But  we 
need  both  currents,  faradic  and  galvanic.  It  is  true,  we  may  suc- 
ceed occasionally  with  the  faradic  current  alone,  in  w^iich  case  the 
pocket  instruments  of  Gaiffe,  or  Kidder,  illustrated  in  a  previous 
chapter,  will  be  found  convenient  and  effective.  But^when  we 
know  the  galvanic  current  is  required  in  so  many  cases,  especially 
at  the  commencement,  and  in  making  out  a  diagnosis,  it  is  advis- 
sable,  and  even  •profitable  and  •practical  to  have  at  hand  two 
instruments,  a  faradic  and  a  galvanic.  Or,  what  is  more  conven- 
ient still,  an  instrument  combining  both  currents  like  that  of  the 
Mcintosh  make,  illustrated  in  the  fore  part  of  this  work.  These 
instruments  are  perfectly  satisfactory  in  every  regard.  They  are 
portable,  easily  managed,  and  in  a  few  seconds'  time  we  can 
change  from,  the  faradic  to  the  galvanic  current,  or  from  the  gal- 
vanic to  the  faradic  current. 

When  a  case  of  facial  paralysis  comes  to  us,  our  first  business 
is  to  ascertain  whether  it  is  a  case  of  central  or  peripheral  paraly- 
sis. The  manner  of  doing  this  has  been  described.  The  next 
thing  is  to  apply  the  proper  current.     If  the  muscles  contract 


Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus.  39 

under  the  faradic  current,  this  is  the  one  to  use.  If  they  do  not 
respond,  then  we  resort  to  the  galvanic  current.  In  both  cases 
we  place  the  electrode  of  the  positive  pole  immediately  in  front 
of  the  ear,  while  that  of  the  negative  pole  is  moved  about  over 
the  cheek  of  the  affected  side.  The  current  should  be  as  strong 
as  the  patient  can  well  bear,  and  the  sitting  should  last  from  ten 
to  fifteen  minutes,  and  be  repeated  for  the  first  week  every  twenty- 
four  to  forty-eight  hours,  according  to  the  severity  of  the  case. 
After  this,  especially  if  improvement  be  inanifest,  the  applica- 
tion may  be  made  twice  a  week  till  the  cure  is  perfect. 

All  this  applies  to  cases  supposed  to  be  curable.  In  cases  of 
a  central  origin,  like  that  of  Airs.  A.,  previously  described  in  this 
work,  it  will  be  found  that  electricity,  no  matter  in  what  shape 
or  form  applied,  will  be  of  little  avail.  In  fact,  I  think  it  may 
do  harm  in  some  cases.  By  referring  to  this  case  the  reader  will 
see  that  we  commenced  to  treat  Mrs.  A.  about  the  middle  of 
September,  iSSi,  and  that  we  continued  the  treatment  for  about 
six  weeks,  when  she  got  discouraged  and  applied  to  another  phy- 
sician. We  heard  no  more  from  the  case  till  December  19th, 
iSSi,  when  the  husband  again  called  me.  I  found  the  patient  in 
bed.  I  learned  that  after  leaving  me  she  went  to  an  electrician, 
a  man  who  gives  special  attention  to  the  treatment  of  diseases 
with  electricity.  She  told  me  that  he  had  bfeated  her  eight  or 
nine  times,  and  that  he  had  applied  the  galvanic  current  so  strong 
to  her  face  that  she  suffered  severely  from  it ;  and  that  instead  of 
any  improvement,  she  had  steadily  grown  worse  from  the  time 
she  went  to  him.  She  had  quit  him  and  was  taking  iodide  of 
potassium  and  bromide  of  potassium  under  the  instructions  of 
one  of  the  best  physicians  in  the  city.  But  with  all  of  this  she 
was  growing  worse.  She  suffered  from  a  severe  pain  in  the 
head,  on  the  right  side,  immediately  behind  and  a  little  below 
the  ear.  The  left  eye  looked  red  and  watery.  The  right  arm 
and  hand,  :  ,nd  the  right  leg  and  foot,  were  motionless.  She 
could  not  move  them  the  least ;  they  were  paralyzed.  I  put  her 
upon  strychina  and  bromide  of  potassium.  Strychina  -g^  of  a 
grain  every  three  hours,  and  bromide  of  potassium  ten  grains 
every  four  hours.  Under  this  treatment  the  pain  in  the  head 
ceased,    and   the    eye  improved   in    appearance — looked    nearly 


4©  Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus. 

natural  in  color;  but  up  to  this  date,  January  loth,  18S3,  there  is 
no  improvement  in  the  paralysis. 

I  certainly  think  the  strong  electric  currents  used  by  the  elec- 
tric specialist  aggravated  the  disease  in  this  case,  and  would 
earnestly  warn  the  novice  against  the  reckless  use  of  this  potent 
measure  in  serious  brain  troubles.  While  it  is  the  remedy  in  all 
cases  of  a  peripheral  origin,  either  in  the  form  of  faradization  or 
galvanism,  it  will  not  cure,  or  even  benefit  many  cases  of  a  cen- 
tral origin.  Happily,  the  great  majority  are  of  the  curable  kind. 
They  result  from  extrinsic  causes,  cold,  injuries,  exposures,  and 
not  infrequently  we  meet  with  cases  as  complications  of  neural- 
gia. All  these  cases  are  readily  benefited  by  the  tise  of  elec- 
tricity. Where  a  paralysis  results  directly  from  a  neuralgia,  we 
should  apply  the  electrode  of  the  positive  pole  immediately  over 
the  nerve  affected  by  the  neuralgia,  and  that  of  the  negative  pole 
over  the  paralyzed  part. 

Neuralgias  are  sometimes  speedily  relieved,  and  occasionally 
cured  by  the  application  of  electricity.  Aside  from  its  use  in 
curing  paralysis  resulting  from  neuralgia,  electi'icity  may  be  used 
to  relieve  the  pain.  In  cases  of  long  standing,  and  even  in  acute 
cases,  and  where  the  pain  is  localized,  the  part  sore  and  tender 
under  pressure,  the  application  of  a  inild  galvanic  current,  apply- 
ing the  electrode  of  the  positive  pole  to  the  affected  part,  while 
the  negative  is  held  in  the  hand  of  the  patient,  will  sometimes 
do  more  toward  restoring  the  parts  to  a  physiological  condition 
than  any  means  to  which  we  can  resort.  If  the  galvanic  current 
fails  to  give  the  desired  results,  then,  we  try  the  faradic  current. 
But  we  find  that  the  galvanic  current  is  most  frequently  useful ; 
it  only  occasionally  happens  that  the  faradic  current  is  the  best. 

"In  morbid  states  involving  5(?;?5Z(5z7z'/)/  the  faradic  current  is  of 
little  service.  A  very  high  tension  current,  with  excessively 
rapid  interruptions  applied  along  the  trajectory  of  a  nerve,  is 
sometimes  serviceable  in  a  neuralgia.  The  power  to  relieve  pain 
is  the  property  of  the  galvanic  current.  A  descending  stabile 
current  is,  theoretically,  the  best  form  of  application  to  relieve 
the  irritability  of  a  sensory  nerve  ;  but  in  practice,  it  is  found  that 
the  direction  of  the  current  is  of  little  moment,  the  relief  being 
the  same  in  what  direction  soever  the  electricity  may  be  flowing. 


il-LECTRICITY  AND    ELECTRICAL    APPARATUS.  41 

It  follows,  then,  of  course,  that  the  galvanic  and  not  the  faradic 
current  is  to  be  used  in  the  treatment  of  neuralgia.  The  use  of 
the  faradic  current  in  such  cases  is  one  of  the  medical  delusions 
against  which  we  must  protest. 

The  injunction,  in  systematic  works,  to  add  a  little  salt  to  the 
water  with  which  the  sponge  electrodes  are  moistened,  is  propel" 
only  in  the  case  of  galvanic  applications  to  the  face  and  head. 
In  neuralgias  of  the  extremities,  especially  of  long  standing,  I 
am  convinced  that  we  should  use  powerful  currents,  and  there- 
fore make  the  applications  with  large  electrodes,  moistened,  but 
not  with  salt  water.  Not  suthcient  attention  is  paid  to  the  dura- 
tion and  number  of  the  seances.  In  galvanic  applications  about 
the  head  the  sittings  should  not  exceed  five  minutes,  but  they 
may  be  repeated  several — say  three — times  a  day.  In  neuralgias 
the  applications  should  be  more  prolonged,  and  should  be  re- 
peated at  short  interv^als.  Much  better  results  would  be  obtained 
in  these  affections,  sciatica  for  example,  if  the  applications  for 
galvanism  wei'e  fifteen  minutes  long,  and  repeated  every  three  or 
four  hours.  These  statements  are  based  on  some  experience 
with  these  frequent  applications,  and  are  not  merely  speculative 
theories." — [Bartholow.] 

These  observations  agree  with  my  own  previous  experience, 
except  that  I  think  the  application  of  the  electrode  of  the  positive 
pole  to  the  tender  part  is  always  more  agi^eeable,  and  in  no  case 
less  effective  than  the  negative  pole. 

Referring  to  the  use  of  the  galvanic  and  faradic  currents,  we 
would  make  this  observation :  Heretofore  medical  practitioners 
desiring  to  test  the  virtues  of  electricity  in  medicine  ha\'e  almost 
invariably  invested  in  faradic  machines  only.  They  probably 
get  good  instruments,  and  use  them  according  to  directions  ;  but, 
like  all  other  therapeutic  measures,  the  faradic  current  Will  not 
meet  all  the  indications,  neither  will  it  do  all  that  can  be  done 
with  electricity,  and  if  we  expect  to  succeed,  we  must  use  both 
currents.  One  current  will  be  found  best  in  a  certain  case, 
another  in  a  second  case,  and  in  other  cases  both  cuiTents  may 
be  required.  As  we  proceed  we  shall  aim  to  point  out  the  special 
indications  for  the  different  currents. 


42  Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus. 

In  a  communication  for  the  Peoria  Medical  Monthly  for  Nov 
iSSi,  Dr.  R.  J.  Curtiss,  of  Joliet,  111.,  very  ably  and  instructively 
illustrates  the  value  of  the  gaK^anic  current  in  painful  affections, 
and  we  gladly  appropriate  and  reprint  his  observations,  for  they 
are  in  harmony  with  our  own,  and  we  know  them  to  be  faithful 
illustrations  of  galvano-tlierapeutics.      He  says  : 

"  There  is  no  fact  in  therapeutics  better  verified  than  the  power 
of  a  low  tension  galvanic  current  to  relieve  pain.  A  high  tension 
current  has  less  power  in  this  direction,  and  still  less  if  it  is  inter- 
rupted, while  the  high  tension  faradic  current,  most  useful  in 
anaesthesia,  has  very  little  power  to  relieve  pain,  and  in  some  con- 
ditions will  increase  it. 

'■  Galvanism  will  relieve  pain  independently  of  its  effect  on 
the  cause  of  pain.  In  fact  most  pain  remedies  operate  independ- 
ently of  the  cause.  It  must  be,  however,  that  when  pain,  like 
sciatica,  depends  upon  disease  of  the  nerve  itself  that  the  galvanic 
current  acts  more  or  less  by  catalysis,  upon  the  cause  of  the  pain 
in  the  relief  of  the  disease. 

"  The  method  by  which  galvanism  acts,  or  the  changes  of  a 
phvsical,  chemical,  or  so-called  vital  character  which  are  pi'o- 
duced  in  the  tissues  in  the  relief  of  pain  are  probably  better  un- 
derstood than  the  same  action  of  drugs.  The  first  effect  of  the 
current  is  a  phvsical  one,  and  operates  on  the  molecules  of 
tissues.  If  the  action  is  increased  it  becomes  more  complex  and 
has  a  chemical  effect.  These  effects  of  galvanism  are  termed 
catalytic,  and  it  is  by  Ibis  action  that  electricity  can  relieve 
pain. 

'■'■Case  I. — Mr. ,  a  bricklayer.     This   patient  was  obliged 

to  stand  in  water  at  his  work  during  one  day.  On  the  third  day 
after  he  was  unable  to  work  on  account  of  sciatica.  The  pain 
was  intense,  and  the  limb  could  not  be  moved  without  great 
increase  of  the  pain.  The  extent  of  pain  was  from  the  point  of 
emergence  of  the  nei-ve  from  the  pelvis  to  the  heel.  The  foot 
was  placed  in  warm  v;ater,  which  contained  the  negative  pole  of 
the  battery, — the  positive  was  applied  at  different  points  over  the 
nen'e.  The  applications  were  made  twice  daily,  for  three  days, 
the  direct  current  from  twenty  cells  being  used.  Each  applica- 
tion was  followed  by  lessened  pain  and  increased  mobility  of  the 


Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus. 


43 


extremity.  No  medicine  was  prescribed.  After  the  sixth  appli- 
cation the  patient  was  free  from  pain,  and  complained  only  of 
stiffness  of  the  limb  when  walking. 

"  Case  3. — Mr. ,  a  carpenter  by  trade,  had  had  sciatica  for 

ten  years,  more  or  less  in  relation  to  pain  and  time.  Two  years 
before  I  saw  him  he  was  subjected  to  the  operation  of  nerve 
stretching.  The  wound  became  troublesome,  and  finally  was 
attacked  b^-  erysipelas,  and  three  months  elapsed  before  he  re- 
covered from  the  effects  of  the  surgery  and  the  accident.  In  this 
case  a  differential  diagnosis  was  necessary  between  sciatica  and 
locomotor  ataxia.  The  pains  in  the  legs  at  times  resembled  those 
of  ataxia.  The  tendon  reflex,  however,  was  increased.  There 
was  no  fault  of  co-ordination,  or  any  other  signs  or  symptoms  of 
ataxia.  He  had  been  treated  by  a  minister,  he  said,  with  elec- 
tricity derived  from  an  electro-magnetic  machine.  The  nerve 
stretching  and  ministerial  therapeutics  did  not  relieve  him.  He 
stated,  however,  that  he  was  free  from  pain  while  in  bed  with  his 
wound,  following  surgical  operation,  but  pain  returned  when  he 
had  recovered  and  resumed  work. 

"The  electrical  treatment  of  this  patient  was  continued  for 
three  months  and  was  successful.  The  applications  were  made 
daily  as  a  rule,  and  variously  applied  in  quality  and  tension  as 
the  effects  justified.  The  treatment  began  with  the  use  of  twen- 
ty cells,  which  was  increased  by  degrees  to  sixty,  and  finally  to 
eighty — with  the  intensity  diminished  by  the  rheostat.  The 
patient  improved  rapidly  after  the  second  month.  As  a  rule 
each  dose  of  galvanism  was  followed  by  relief  of  pain.  If  the 
intensity  of  the  current,  however,  was  great  enough  for  him  to 
sensibly  feel  it,  it  always  appeared  to  increase  the  pain.  I  found 
that  the  quantity  of  electricity  was  what  his  case  demanded 
with  low  intensity,  which  was  a  very  different  method  from  that 
employed  by  the  minister.  This  patient  was  discharged  over  a 
year  since,  and  has  remained  well  with  exception  of  stiffness  of 
the  muscles,  and  occasional  '  storm  pains.' 

"  Ca5^  3. — Mrs.  E ,  a  married  lady,  aged  40,  is  neuras- 
thenic, and  says  she  had  liad  neuralgia  in  different  nen'es  and  at 
different  times,  all  her  life.  Among  other  trouble  she  had  been 
subject  to  nervous  headache — the  pain  being  extreme  in  charac- 


44  Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus. 

ter.  I  noticed  that  the  dark  hair  contained  tufts  of  gray,  proba- 
bly half  a  dozen  in  number,  sharply  defined,  and  which  she 
,  believed  had  been  caused  by  excessive  pain.  Without  doubt 
the  loss  of  pigment  had  relations  to  her  neurasthenic  condition. 
I  was  called  to  visit  this  lady  on  account  of  an  attack  of  sciatica. 
I  learned  that  she  had  adopted  the  blue  glass  treatment  for  neu- 
ralgia, and  while  setting  in  the  blue  light  her  pains  all  settled 
into  the  sciatic  nerve.  The  pain,  of  course,  was  intense,  and 
patient  helpless.  I  was  obliged  to  use  in  this  case  a  faradic  cur- 
rent of  rather  high  intensity,  and  used  the  same  daily  with  good 
effect  for  about  a  week,  when  the  patient  was  able  to  resume  her 
avocations  and  daily  routine  of  a  confirmed  neurasthenic  life.  I 
was  anxious  to  try  in  her  case  the  '  central  galvanization '  and 
'general  faradization '  methods  of  Beard  and  Rockwell,  but  a 
diagnosis  (;f  tuberculosis  was  made  by  another  physician,  who 
took  charge  of  the  case,  and  I  think  must  have  cured  his  i)atient 
of  tuberculosis,  for  after  three  years  she  is  as  well  and  as  sick 
as  ever. 

''  Case  ^. — Was  a  robust,  hearty  person,  who  had  sciatica  for 
six  weeks'  duration,  which  he  got  by  working  in  water  which 
flowed  from  the  savory  Illinois  and  Michigan  Canal.  He  said  he 
came  up  to  have  me  use  my  big  battery  on  him,  as  he  had  tried  a 
little  one  with  no  good  effect.  I  applied  the  direct  current  from 
twenty  cells,  which  was  very  unsatisfactory  to  the  patient,  who  in- 
sisted that  it  was  of  no  account  because  he  couldn't  feel  it.  By 
way  of  scientific  experiment,  therefore,  I  turned  on  sixty  cells  and 
interrupted  the  current.  After  the  '  seance  '  was  over,  in  about 
five  minutes,  the  patient  complained  of  an  increase  of  pain.  He 
returned  three  times,  in  as  many  days,  and  I  applied  the  cuirent 
in  the  same  way  with  the  same  effect.  He  then  staid  away,  and 
I  met  him  on  the  street  about  ten  days  after,  when  he  informed 
me  that  as  soon  as  he  stopped  the  electricity  he  began  to  get  well, 
and  recovered  in  a  few  days  without  treatment  of  any  kind 

"  Case  5. — Mrs. ,  married  lady,   aged  55,    had  schiiTus  of 

the  liver.  The  pain  from  this  disease  was  unusual,  and  prevent- 
ed sleep,  took  away  her  appetite,  and  made  her  wish  for  the 
coming  of  the  inevitable  end.  She  had  taken  morphia  and 
atropia,  codeia,  chloral,  and  even  inhalations  of  chloroform.    To 


Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus. 


45 


relieve  her  of  pain  I  used  the  direct  galvanic  current  from 
fifteen  cells  daily,  about  fifteen  minutes,  with  the  happiest  effect. 
So  long  as  she  used  this  treatment  she  was  comparatively  free 
from  pain,  and  availed  herself  of  it  until  she  ocnild  no  longer, 
from  progress  of  the  disease,  come  to  the  office.  The  tumor 
filled  the  epigastric  region  and  extended  into  the  iliac  fossa.  Her 
last  days  were  painless,  and  Iwpeful  of  cure,  under  the  ministra- 
tion of  a  '  cancer  doctor '  from  Chicago. 

"  Case  6. — Mr. ,    aged  60,   had   pulmonary   consumption 

(fibrous  phthisis),  of  which  he  died  after  two  years  duration  of 
the  disease.  His  cough  was  excessive,  and  he  suffered  greatly 
during  the  last  six  months  from  this  source  and  from  intercostal 
neuralgia,  and  pain  referred  to  the  left  shoulder.  Various  ano- 
dynes and  Sequard's  neuralgic  pills  were  prescribed.  As  an 
experiment,  galvanism  was  used.  Galvanization  of  the  cen'ical 
region  and  epigastric  region — one  pole  beneath  the  ear  and  the 
other  over  the  stomach — with  a  current  from  five  cells  used  for 
ten  minutes,  would  insure  a  good  night's  rest — comparatively 
free  from  cough  and  pain.  He  also  found  relief  from  night 
sweats  by  use  of  faradism  lightly  applied  over  the  surface.  From 
choice  the  patient  used  galvanism  for  pain  and  faradism  for 
sweating,  instead  of  dinjgs.  This  patient  after  he  began  the  use 
of  electricity  had  a  remarkable  increase  of  appetite  and  diges- 
tion. He  could  take  and  digest  three  ounces  daily  of  cod  liver 
oil,  and  took  daily  a  large  quantity  of  raw  beef  and  brandy,  this 
remedy  having  been  prescribed  for  him  as  the  latest  therapeutical 
novelty  from  Paris.  His  life  by  this  means  was  surprisingly  pro- 
longed and  his  comfort  greatly  increased. 

"  Case  7. — Mrs. ,  aged  53,  had  a  cancer  of  the  left  breast, 

badly  ulcerated.  The  pain  in  and  about  the  tumor  and  through 
the  chest,  which  at  times  ainounted  to  angina,  she  was  in  the 
habit  of  relieving  as  much  as  possible  by  hypodermic  injections 
of  morphia.  Hearing  about  the  effects  of  galvanism  in  rcliexing 
pain  in  similar  cases,  she  reported  for  that  purpose.  In  this  case 
the  treatment  by  galvanism  was  remarkable  in  procuring  relief 
from  distress.  The  galvanism  was  used  every  other  day  by 
applying  the  positive  pole  over  the  dorsal  and  cerxdcal  spine,  and 
the  negative   at  various  places  over  breast,  side  and  arm.     She 


46  Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus. 

stopped  the  use  of  morphine  while  being  treated  by  galvanism, 
and  was  relieved  of  immense  suffering  by  its  use.  She  had  used 
plasters,  probably  arsenic  and  zinc,  for  the  cure  of  the  cancer, 
and  declined  further  treatment  than  what  was  calculated  to 
relieve  her  distress." 

These  are  reports  of  seven  cases  where  electricity  was  used  to 
relieve  pain.  Galvanism  was  the  principal  resort,  but  in  case 
"  5  "  Dr.  Curtiss  says  he  "  was  obliged  to  use  a  faradic  current 
of  rather  high  intensity."  But  he  does  not  say  why  he  did  this  ; 
and  we  are  frequently  at  a  loss  to  know  which  current  to  use,  the 
faradic  or  the  galvanic.  In  painful  affections  we  are  guided  by 
these  symptoms :  where  firm  pressure  over  a  painful  part  in- 
creases the  pain,  the  faradic  current  will  aggravate,  while  the 
galvanic  current  will  relieve.  On  the  other  hand,  where  pres- 
sure does  not  increase  the  pain,  then  the  faradic  current,  the  pos- 
itive pole  over  the  painful  part,  will  give  relief. 

A  little  experience  in  the  treatment  of  neuralgia  will  enable  the 
practitioner  to  classify  his  cases  properly.  On  the  one  hand  he 
will  have  patients  who  manifest  a  fair  share  of  vitality,  and  yet 
they  suffer  from  acute  neuralgia,  about  which  they  complain  bit- 
terly. Touch  these  people  and  they  are  nervous ;  and  handling 
the  diseased  or  painful  parts  cannot  be  tolerated.  Galvanization 
is  soothing  to  these  patients  and  will  cure.  On  the  other  hand 
we  find  a  class  of  rather  feeble  people,  suffering  from  impak- 
ment  of  nutrition,  more  or  less  anemia,  hyperasthesia,  exhaus- 
tion, &c.  Holding  the  hands  and  rubbing  the  heads  of  these 
patients  will  give  relief,  and  such  measures  ai'e  enjoyed  as  real 
luxuries  by  this  class.  They  even  fall  asleep  under  such  treat- 
ment. Here  is  the  place  for  the  faradic  current ;  localized  or 
general  faradization.  Mild  currents  should  be  used  at  first,  then 
stronger,  always  being  careful  to  avoid  currents  of  high  tension 
about  the  head  and  face.  And  large  sponges  should  be  used, 
that  the  current  may  be  diffused  as  much  as  possible,  for  the  con- 
centration of  current  about  the  head  and  face  cannot  be  well 
borne,  and  may  aggravate  the  pain,  while  a  diffusion  over  a  large 
surface  affords  quick  and  permanent  relief.  Nothing  so  speedily 
improves  nutrition,  relieves  pain  and  hyperasthesia  in  such  cases 
as  faradization,  local  or  general,  as  may  be  required. 


Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus.  47 

Other  diseases  associated  with  or  dependent  upon  impairment 
or  perversion  of  nutrition,  besides  those  of  a  neuralgic  character, 
are  fi'equently  met  with  and  quickly  and  permanently  cured  with 
electricity. 

A  case. — Lilly  B.,  age  fifteen,  was  brought  to  me  about  the 
middle  of  August,  18S1,  for  advice  regarding  a  curvature  of  the 
spine.  Upon  inquiry  I  found  that  she  had  been  under  treatment 
for  nearly  a  year  without  benefit.  She  had  menstruated  once  or 
twice,  when  about  fourteen,  but  never  since.  She  was  wonder- 
fully bent  over  in  a  forward  direction.  The  difiiculty  did  not 
seem  to  be  in  the  spinal  column,  but  in  the  muscles  of  the  back. 
The  girl  seemed  to  lack  the  power  to  hold  herself  up,  and  she 
could  not  straighten  herself  without  some  help.  She  could  get 
up  and  walk  about  in  a  half  bent  attitude,  but  would  get  very 
tired  in  a  short  time.  Even  sitting  up  in  a  chair  was  a  burden  to 
her ;  made  her  very  tired.  Her  appetite  was  poor,  face  looked 
pale,  pulse  rather  feeble,  and  all  the  functions  of  the  body  wei-e 
performed  in  a  sluggish  manner,  and  some  of  them,  especially 
menstruation,  were  suspended. 

Our  first  advice  was  to  have  Mr.  Schleifarth  make  and  fit  a 
suitable  brace  on  the  patient,  which  was  done  at  once.  This 
held  her  up  temporarily,  and  with  this  on  she  could  sit  up  and 
walk  about  without  getting  so  tired.  This  brace  was  so  con- 
structed that  it  could  be  removed  in  a  second  or  two,  and  replaced 
as  readily.  In  addition  to  this  we  had  her  come  to  the  office 
three  times  a  week  for  electrical  treatment.  Faradization  was 
used  thus :  The  back  was  bared  the  entire  length  of  the  spine, 
and  we  had  the  patient  hold  the  sponge  electrode  of  the  positive 
pole  of  the  faradic  machine  in  the  hand,  first  in  one  hand,  then 
in  the  other,  changing  every  minute,  while  we  applied  the  sponge 
attached  to  the  negative  pole  to  the  back,  commencing  at  the 
neck,  and  moving  down  the  spine  to  the  lower  extremity,  then 
up  one  side,  down  the  other,  then  up,  then  down  the  centre, 
using  as  strong  a  current  as  could  be  borne  without  discomfort, 
and  continuing  the  seance  for  fifteen  minutes.  She  always  felt 
refreshed  and  invigorated  after  these. treatments.  Small  doses  of 
strychnia  and  macrotys,  occasionally  alternated  with  arsenic,  were 
given  from  the  start.     We   continued  this  treatment  about  one 


48  Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus. 

month,  when  we  observed  a  marked  improvement  in  the  appear- 
ance of  the  patient.  The  appetite  was  better,  sleep  more  re- 
freshing, and  she  really  felt  stronger.  Faradization  was  continued 
twice  a  week  after  this,  for  another  month,  when  she  had  a  slight 
show  of  the  menses.  She  was  still  improving.  Another  month 
under  the  same  treatment,  and  the  menses  appeared  in  a  natural 
manner.  She  now  looked  red  and  fresh,  had  gained  greatly  in 
flesh,  could  sit  up,  and  could  walk  and  work  with  pleasure.  We 
continued  the  faradization  once  a  week  till  December  15,  18S1, 
when  we  stopped,  and  she  is  now  taking  nothing  but  macrotys 
and  strychnia,  and  is  growing  and  gaining  in  strength  daily.  She 
still  wears  the  brace,  but  says  she  can  do  without  it,  and  she  can 
really  straighten  herself  up  nicely  and  get  around  like  other  girls. 
We  shall  soon  take  off  the  brace. 

Now,  here  is  a  case  where  faradization  worked  a  wonderful 
cure.  True,  it  may  be  said  that  strychnia,  arsenic  and  macrotyg 
had  something  to  do  in  the  cure.  So  they  had  ;  but  they  could 
not  infuse  new  life  and  vigor  into  the  muscles,  and  invigorate  the 
nervous  system  so  rapidly  as  actually  resulted  in  this  case.  The 
very  first  seance  was  followed  by  immediate  improvement,  and 
the  patient  could  even  feel  and  realize  that  the  electrical  treatment 
was  restoring  her.  And  there  is  no  doubt  but  that  the  indirect 
and  constitutional  influence  of  the  faradization  had  more  to  do 
in  re-establishing  the  menses  in  this  case  than  anything  else.  Of 
course  the  faradization  was  comparatively  local,  and  while  we 
are  sure  the  poorly  nourished  and  feeble  muscles  of  the  back  in- 
creased in  size  and  gained  in  strength  under  the  electrical  influence, 
we  are  quite  certain  that  the  uterine  and  ovarian  finictions  were 
stimulated  also.  As  evidence  tending  to  establish  the  fact  that 
snch  things  may  result  under  similar  circumstances,  allow  us  to 
quote  a  paragraph  or  two  from  Prof.  Rockwell : 

"Localized  electrization  of  poorly  nourished  and  atrophied  mus- 
cles develops  size  and  increases  strength.  Localized  electricity 
of  any  organ,  such  as  the  uterus,  the  nutrition  of  which  has  be- 
come impaired,  and  its  size  diminished,  tends  to  develop  it  and  to 
increase  its  functional  activity.  In  localized  electrization,  these 
results  are,  of  course,  of  a  local  nature ;  yet,  owing  to  the  fact 
that  absolute  localization  is  impossible,  we  not  unfrequently  ob- 


El^ECTRICITY    AND    ELECTRICAL    APPARATUS.  49 

serve  effects  extending  far  beyond  the  parts  actually  enclosed  in 
the  circviit. 

"  By  reflex  action,  also,  we  obtain  remote  effects,  which  are 
either  desirable  or  undesirable,  according  to  the  demands  of  the 
case  in  hand.  Galvanization  of  the  spine,  and  even  of  the  ex- 
tremities, may,  in  certain  irritable  conditions,  excite  the  charac- 
teristic metallic  taste.  Galvanization,  and  even  faradization  of 
remote  and  limited  areas,  sometimes  relieves  pain,  induces  sleep, 
and  increases  the  menstrual  and  other  discharges  through  reflex 
influence  alone." 

This  was  undoubtedly  the  case  with  ovu"  patient ;  and  we  have 
seen  similar  results  in  other  cases,  where  the  appetite  increased, 
digestion  and  general  nutrition  improved  under  the  influence  of 
faradization,  administered  over  very  limited  areas,  through 
the  electrical  chair  of  Dr.  Hathaway,  of  Chicago,  when  the 
hands  and  feet  only  of  the  patient  are  in  contact  with  the  elec- 
trodes. While  localized  faradization  is  certainly  more  potent  in 
some  cases,  where  it  is  practicable,  we  do  know  that  special 
results  actually  follow  general  influences  in  many  cases. 

One  thing  should  always  be  obsei-ved  in  the  application  of 
electricity,  no  inatter  whether  we  are  using  the  electro-magnetic 
machine  or  a  galvanic  battery:  the  positive  pole  should  always 
be  applied  to  sensitive,  painful  or  inflamed  parts  or  organs,  when 
such  conditions  are  present.  And  while  the  positive  pole  is  applied 
directly  to  or  over  these  tender  parts  for  the  puipose  of  relieving 
pain  and  effecting  cures,  the  negative  pole  should  be  placed  upon 
some  comparatively  unimportant  part  of  the  body,  and  where  the 
least  excitement  is  produced.  On  the  other  hand,  where  it  is 
the  object  to  stimulate  or  invigorate  an}'  part  or  organ,  the  nega- 
tive pole  should  be  applied  to  the  weak  part,  while  the  positive 
pole  is  placed  upon  some  part  of  the  body  not  likely  to  suffer 
serious  injury  from  the  sedative  influence  of  the  positive  pole. 

It  will  be  observed  that  in  case  I.,  reported  by  Dr.  Curtis,  a 
severe  case  of  sciatica  was  speedily  relieved  and  permanently 
cured  by  the  use  of  electricity;  and  that  the  positive  pole  was 
applied  to  the  painful  part,  while  the  foot  of  the  patient  was  held 
in  warm  water  containing  the  negative  pole  of  the  battery.  And 
in  the  case  of  Lilly  B.,  reported  by  me,  the  negative  pole   was 


50  Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus. 

applied  to  the  back,  all  along  the  spine  and  over  the  muscles  of 
the  back,  while  the  positive  pole  Vvas  held  in  the  hand.  A  won- 
derful cure  of  spinal  curvature  and  suppressed  menses  was  the 
reward  of  this  treatment.  And  we  might  cite  the  reader  to  numer- 
ous cases  ilhistrating  the  truth  of  this  law. 

Dr.  A.  \V.  Tipton,  in  his  new  work  on  Electrical  Medication,  p. 
56,  illustrates  the  distinctive  use  of  each  pole  very  clearly.  While 
the  terms  electro-vital  fluid  and  electric  fluid  may  be  objectiona- 
ble, Dr.  Tipton  makes  the  reader  know  what  he  means,  and  his 
instructions  are  eminently  practical.  He  says:  "The  reader 
will  bear  in  mind  that  all  acutely  inflammatory  or  hypersthenic 
affections  are  electrically  fositive  in  excess — having  too  much 
vital  action — being  overcharged  with  the  electro-vital  fluid  ;  and 
that  all  paralytic  diseases,  or  those  of  sluggish,  azoodynamic 
character,  are  electiically  negative,  having  too  little  electro-vital 
fluid,  too  little  vital  action.  It  is  a  universal  law  of  electricity 
that  positives  repel  each  other,  and  that  negatives  repel  each 
other  ;  but  that  positives  and  negatives  attract  each  other.  This 
is  a  principle  of  electric  action  everywhere  known  where  any 
thing  is  known  on  the  subject.  We  appropriate  it  practically  to 
therapeutic  purposes.  Therefore,  when  I  wish  to  repress  or  re- 
pel inflammation,  which  is  electrically  positive  in  excess,  I  put 
the  positive  pole  to  it ;  or,  at  least,  I  bring  it  under  that  half  of 
the  circuit  with  which  the  positive  pole  is  connected,  and  as  near 
to  the  pole  or  electrode  as  possible.  And  because  two  positives 
repel  each  other,  and  also  because  the  direction  of  the  current  is 
always  from  the  positive  to  the  negative  pole,  carrying  the  elec- 
tro-vital fluid  with  it,  either  I  must  withdraw  my  positive  elec- 
trode, or  that  excess  of  electro-vitality  in  the  diseased  part  which 
makes  it  morbidly  positive,  and  thus  produces  inflammation,  must 
give  way.  I  -vill  7iot  withdraw  my  positive  pole,  and  therefore  the 
positive  inflammation  must  retreat  and  be  dispersed.  In  trciiting 
this  case,  I  will  place  my  negative  electrode  either  on  some  health)' 
part,  or,  if  there  be  percejDtible  anywhere  in  the  system  a  mor- 
bidly negative  part,  as  is  often  the  case,  I  will  place  my  negative 
pole  there.  For  example :  if  I  am  treating  for  nephritis — in- 
flammation of  the  kidneys — when  I  do  not  perceive  any  part  to  be 
abnormally  negative,  I  manipulate  with  my  positive  electrode  over 


Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus.  51 

the  inflamed  kidney,  leaving  the  negative  electrode  placed  at  the 
cocc}Tc,  the  lowest  part  of  the  spine.  My  positive  pole  repels  the 
positive  inflammation  from  the  kidney ;  or,  rather,  repels  from  it 
that  excess  of  electro-vital  fluid  which  makes  it  morbidly  positive 
and  induces  the  inflammation,  v^^hile  the  negative  pole  attracts  the 
same  towards  the  coccyx.  On  its  way  it  becomes  more  or  less 
diverted  to  adjacent  nen-es ;  or,  if  gathered  in  the  healthy 
part,  under  the  negative  pole,  it  is  immediately  dispersed  by  the 
normal  circulation  as  soon  as  the  electrode  is  removed.  But  if  I 
And  a  spinal  irritation^  say  in  one  or  more  of  the  cervical  or 
dorsal  vertebrae,  and,  at  the  same  time,  a  stomach  affected  with 
chronic  dyspepsia^  accompanied  with  constipation  of  the  boxvels^ 
I  will  work  over  the  inflamed  or  irritated  spine  with  my  positive 
pole,  because  I  know  from  the  irritation  that  there  is  an  excess  of 
electro-vital  fluid  in  the  part,  making' it  improperly  positive  ;  and, 
with  my  negative  electrode,  I  will,  at  the  same  time,  treat  over 
the  stomach,  bowels  and  liver ;  because  I  know,  from  the  inac- 
tion of  these  organs,  that  there  is  a  lack  of  vital  force,  a  defi- 
ciency of  the  electro- vital  fluid,  there,  and  that,  consequently, 
they  are  too  negative." 

Dr.  Tipton  is  earnest  and  enthusiastic  regarding  these  princi- 
ples, and  whether  we  agree  with  him  in  all  his  theories  and  de- 
tails or  not,  the  one  idea  advanced,  and  so  fully  illustrated  in  the 
above  quotation,  is  one  that  cannot  be  treated  with  indifference 
if  we  expect  to  succeed  with  electricity.  The  distinctive  use  of 
the  poles  should  be  carefully  observed  under  all  circumstances. 
Where  doubts  arise  as  to  the  actual  conditions  of  a  part,  then  we 
may  alternate,  and  finally  use  the  pole  that  seems  to  give  the  best 
results. 

We  have  now  defined  electricity,  explained  the  different  meth- 
ods of  generating  it,  described  the  leading  and  most  practical 
electro-magnetic  machines  and  galvanic  batteries  in  the  market, 
illu'sti'ated  the  difference  between  the  electi'o-magnetic  and  gal- 
vanic currents,  and  have  shown  the  marked  difference  in  results 
from  the  application  of  the  different  poles,  referring  to  specific 
conditions  where  each  pole  has  a  specific  action  in  relieving  pain 
or  restoring  vitality.  The  knowledge  thus  far  gained  from  these 
pages  should  be  sufficient  to  enable  any  intelligent  physician,  who 


52  Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus. 

has  a  practical  knowledge  of   disease,    to   commence  the  use  of 
electricity  understandingly. 

CENTRAL  GALVANIZATION. 


Central  galvanization  is  a  method  of  applying  electricity  that 
demands  special  attention.  It  consists  essentially  in  bringing  the 
brain,  sympathetic,  spinal  cord,  and  pneumogastric,  under  the 
influence  of  the  galvanic  current.  One  pole  of  the  battery  is  placed 
over  the  region  of  the  stomach,  while  the  other  is  applied  to 
some  part  of  the  head  or  spine.  In  all  cases  of  cerebral  ex- 
citement, pain  in  the  head,  mental  disturbances  from  sympathy, 
apply  the  negative  pole  of  a  galvanic  battery  over  the  stomach, 
and  the  positive  pole  to  the  top  of  the  head.  Great  cautiori 
should  be  observed  in  applying  the  galvanic  current  to  these 
parts.  In  all  cases  the  head  and  face  are  more  impressible  than 
other  parts  of  the  body,  and  this  is  especially  so  with  the  galvanic 
current,  for  it  passes  directly  through  the  scalp  and  skull,  enters 
the  brain  and  goes  through  every  nerve  and  tissue  it  meets.  In 
using  this  current  in  any  case  in  the  manner  denominated  central 
galvanization,  the  electrodes  should  be  large,  so  as  to  diffuse  the 
current  as  much  as  possible.  iVnd  we  should  commence  with  a 
very  mild  cuiTent,  one  or  two  cells,  increasing  gradually  as  the 
patient  can  bear  it.  And  we  should  not  depend  upon  the  sug- 
gestions of  the  patient  too  much  regarding  the  strength  of  the 
cuiTent,  for  bad  results  may  be  suffered  before  we  are  aware  of 
any  danger.  vSuppose  the  patient  is  suffering  from  pain  in  the 
head,  or  there  is  cerebral  excitement,  and  we  desire  to  relit-ve  it 
w^th  electricity.  Let  the  patient  be  seated,  bare  the  stomach 
and  make  the  top  of  the  head  quite  wet  with  warm  water.  Now 
attach  two  large  sponge  electrodes,  well  moistened  with  warm 
water,  to  the  cords  of  the  battery,  turn  on  two  or  three  cells 
only,  then  apply  the  sponge  of  the  negative  electrode  over  the 
stomach,  and  carefully  test  the  patient  and  the  strength  of  the 
current  in  this  manner :  while  the  negative  electrode  is  still  over 
the  stomach,  we  take  up  the  positive  sponge  electrode,  and  with 
a  tapping  motion  about  the  temple,  or  over  the  brow,  we  rapidly 
apply  and  remove  the  sponge.     If  the  patient  is  quite   sensitive, 


Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus.  53 

we  may  expect  to  hear  remarks  like  these:  "  O,  I  see  sparks!  I 
see  flashes  of  light  when  you  hit  my  head  with  the  sponge."  If 
no  such  results  as  these  follow  this  test,  then  connect  two  or  three 
more  cells,  and  repeat  the  experiment.  If  the  battery  is  in  any 
thing  like  good  order,  from  four  to  six  cells  will  certainly  give 
the  results  above  named — sensations  expressed  by  the  words 
sparks,  flashes  of  light,  etc.  But  some  people  are  not  very  sensi- 
tive, and  ten  to  twelve  cells  may  be  required  to  excite  any  un- 
usual manifestation.  On  the  other  hand,  we  frequently  find 
people  who  are  so  sensitive  that  but  two  or  three  cells  can  be 
tolerated. 

Having  carefully  tested  the  strength  of  the  current  and  the  im- 
pressibility of  the  patient,  while  the  negative  electrode  is  still  over 
the  stomach,  we  carefully  place  the  sponge  of  the  positive  pole  on 
the  top  of  the  head  and  steadily  hold  it  there  for  a  time — from  one 
to  fifteen  minutes,  as  may  be  determined  by  the  immediate  effect. 
The  moment  we  place  the  sponge  on  the  head  the  patient  com- 
plains or  speaks  about  a  peculiar  metallic  taste  in  the  mouth.  If 
this  is  not  mentioned  voluntarily,  it  is  called  out  in  answer  to 
questions.  Occasionally  it  is  complained  of  greatly,  and  seems 
to  be  quite  disagreeable  to  some  people.  In  other  cases  it  is 
barely  perceptible.  Central  galvanization  with  the  negative  pole 
to  the  stomach,  and  the  positive  pole  to  the  head,  is  a  potent 
measure,  and  if  it  does  no  good,  it  is  likely  to  do  harm.  It 
lessens  the  quantity  of  arterial  blood  in  the  brain,  and  if  used  too 
strong,  or  continued  too  long,  dizziness  is  experienced,  and  if 
still  further  continued  the  patient  becomes  unconscious  and  falls 
from  the  chair  in  a  condition  of  sycope,  and  vigorous  efforts,  with 
the  application  of  stimulants,  may  be  required  to  bring  about  a 
reaction.  From  this  it  will  be  seen  that  great  caution  should  be 
obsei"ved  in  the  application  of  this  measure.  If  the  patient  com- 
plains of  dizziness,  then  the  current  should  be  lessened  in  ten- 
sion ;  and  if  the  dizziness  is  still  suffered,  a  rheostat  may 
be  used.  The  rheostat  is  very  convenient  in  applying  elec- 
tricity to  the  head,  eyes  and  ears.  It  is  fully  described  and 
its  use  illustrated  on  previous  pages.  But  with  the  greatest  care 
and  the  use  of  the  rheostat  some  patients  cannot  bear  central  gal- 
vanization long  at  a  time.     We  observe  the  face  growing  pale, 


54  Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus. 

and  the  patient  sighs  a  time  or  two,  or  expresses  feelings  of  weak- 
ness or  depression,  and  we  are  forced  to  desist.  One  or  two 
minutes  is  as  long  as  we  can  use  it  in  such  cases ;  in  others  it  will 
be  well  borne  for  ten  or  fifteen  minutes. 

We  use  central  galvanization  in  obscure  nervous  affections, 
such  as  hysteria,  hysterical  insanity,  chorea,  nervous  headache, 
etc.  Some  of  the  most  persistent  cases  of  hysterical  insanity  are 
speedily  relieved  and  permanently  cured  by  this  measure.  Just 
how  the  cure  is  wrought  we  cannot  always  tell.  But  we  do 
know  that  the  galvanic  current  is  capable  of  working  wonderful 
changes.  With  it  w^e  can  disturb  nervous  influences,  divert  the 
circulation,  separate  the  constituents  of  the  fluids  of  the  body, 
and  even  dissolve  the  tissues.  An  agent  capable  of  doing  all 
this  may  be  expected  to  do  either  good  or  harm  whenever  em- 
ployed. We  may  apply  the  faradic  current  to  the  extent  of  tol- 
eration, and  rarely  do  injury  with  it,  for  it  has  no  power  to  dis- 
organize the  fluids  or  dissolve  the  tissues.  In  changing  from  the 
galvanic  to  the  induced  current  the  electrolic  power  is  lost.  Fara- 
dization influences  nerves  and  muscles  principally ;  the  galvanic 
current  produces  a  change  in  everything  coming  under  its  influ- 
ence ;  and  the  changes  are  not  always  simple  excitements,  con- 
tractions and  relaxations,  but  are  organic  in  character. 

The  application  of  electricity  to  the  head  is  opposed  by  some 
electricians,  because  they  cannot  explain  just  Iwiv  central  galvani- 
zation cures.  And  because  bad  results  may  come  from  reckless 
manipulators,  they  oppose  and  denounce  it.  We  are  not  of  this 
class,  for  we  have  cured  some  troublesome  cases  with  central 
galvanization  that  had  resisted  various  measures.  Of  course  we 
should  be  cautious  at  the  commencement,  and  if  we  find  that  the 
current  is  not  well  borne,  and  that  the  patient  grows  worse  under 
the  treatment,  it  need  not  be  continued.  Two  or  three  sittings 
will  be  sufficient  to  test  any  case,  for  if  the  results  are  to  be  good 
a  few  seances  will  decide  it. 

Central  galvanization  is  sometimes  applied  by  placing  the  posi- 
tive pole  to  the  stomach  and  the  negative  to  the  head,  or  over 
different  points  along  the  spine.  But  the  most  satisfactory 
method  is  to  apply  the  negative  electrode  over  the  stomach,  and 
the  positive  pole  to  the  top  of  the  head,  nape  of  the  neck,  or  over 


Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus.  55 

the  upper  portion  of  the  spine.  Spinal  irritation  is  sometimes 
instantly  relieved  by  this  measure.  It  is  even  astonishing  how 
quickly  harrassing  pains  and  feelings  of  distress  vanish  under  the 
influence  of  galvanism.  And  some  cases  of  j^ersistent  nausea, 
no  doubt  from  spinal  irritation,  are  immediately  relieved  by  this 
measure. 

We  meet  with  many  patients  where  the  symptoms  are  delu- 
sive. We  find  it  impossible  to  make  out  what  we  call  a  positive 
diagnosis.  We  may  be  able  to  find  a  positive  wrong  here,  and 
another  there,  and  we  may  apply  the  appropriate  remedy  in  ev- 
ery such  case,  but  still  there  lingers  a  nervous  distress,  melan- 
choly, or  wakefulness,  and  the  patient  may  suffer  from  fits  of 
sobbing — don't  feel  right  at  any  time.  With  other  appropriate 
measures  we  now  resort  to  central  galvanization.  Of  course  we 
cannot  always  know,  to  a  certainty,  that  they  will  relieve  the  pa- 
tient, but  we  frequently  find  that  improvement  commences  at 
once.  Just  how  the  favorable  change  is  wrought  we  do  not  pre- 
tend to  explain,  but  we  do  know  that  with  central  galvanization 
we  can  frequently  relieve,  and  many  times  speedily  and  perman- 
ently cure  people  who  had  lingered  for  months  under  different 
plans  of  treatment,  medical  and  hygienic. 

ELECTROLYSIS. 


Electrolysis  is  a  term  applied  to  the  process  of  decomposing 
compolind  substances  by  electricity.  For  this  purpose  the  gal- 
vanic current,  not  the  faradic,  must  be  used  ;  and  that  this  direct 
current  is  capable  of  separating  the  elements  that  enter  into  the 
composition  of  fluids  and  solids  is  readily  illustrated,  as  follows : 
Let  us  dissolve  about  thirty  grains  of  iodide  of  potassium  in  two 
ounces  of  water.  We  put  this  solution  in  an  open  dish,  on  a 
suitable  table,  and  obsei^ve  that  it  is  colorless.  We  now  attach 
conducting  cords  to  a  galvanic  battery,  and  on  the  distal  ends  of 
these  cords  we  attach  nietallic  electrodes,  iron,  copper  or  plati- 
num. We  now  dip  both  of  these  electrodes  into  the  iodide  so- 
lution, at  some  distance  from  each  other,  and  hold  them  there  for 
a  few  minutes.  Very  soon  we  observe  that  the  solution  about  the 
electrode  attached  to  the  positive  pole  of  the  battery  changes 
color.     It  looks  yellow  at  first,  but  rapidly   grows  darker,    and 


56  Electricitv  and  Electrical  Apparatus. 

finally  the  whole  solution  presents  the  full  color  of  iodine.  In 
this  case  the  iodine  and  oxygen  go  to  the  positive  pole,  while  the 
hydrogen  and  alkali  go  to  the  negative  pole.  In  all  cases  of 
electrolysis,  or  wherever  the  poles  of  a  galvanic  battery  are  ap- 
plied, the  acids  and  oxygen  present  go  to  the  positive  pole,  and 
the  alkalies  and  hydrogen  go  to  the  negative  pole. 

Now  it  is  well  known  that  the  human  body  is  largely  made 
of  water,  holding  salts  of  potash,  soda,  &c. ,  in  solution.  It  is 
also  a  fact  that  the  composition  of  the  fluids  and  tissues  of  the 
body  thus  made  up  are  readily  decomposed  in  the  living  subject, 
by  the  application  of  the  poles  of  a  galvanic  battery,  the  acids 
and  oxygen  rushing  to  the  positive  pole,  while  the  alkalies  and 
hydrogen  as  rapidly  concentrate  about  the  negative  pole.  In  a 
given  case,  where  metallic  electrodes  are  applied  directly  to  apart, 
the  electrode  attached  to  the  positive  pole  is  corroded ;  and  if  a 
strong  current  from  many  cells  is  used,  the  accumulation  of  al- 
kalies at  the  negative  pole  may  be  so  great  as  to  produce  a  severe 
caustic  effect.  Such  a  result  is  rarely  desirable,  and  unless  we 
want  it  we  are  careful  to  avoid  such  violent  action,  by  using  a 
smaller  number  of  cells.  In  either  case,  whether  few  or  many 
cells  are  used,  but  especially  where  the  current  is  strong,  inorbid 
growths,  swellings,  tumors,  and  enlarged  glands  are  frequently 
dissolved  and  carried  away  in  a  very  short  time  by  subjecting 
them  to  the  process  of  electrolysis.  Just  how  this  disturbance  of 
the  elements  in  the  tissues  results  in  the  removal  of  the  diseased 
conditions  referred  to,  we  are  not  at  present  able  to  tell.  Of 
course,  in  certain  cases,  where  we  use  electrolysis  to  the  extent 
of  destroying  the  tissues,  the  effect  is  similar  to  the  operation  of 
an  ordinary  caustic,  only  the  pain  and  subsequent  inflammation 
are  not  so  great,  while  the  cure  is  more  certain. 

A  few  cases  in  practice  will  serve  to  illustrate  electrolysis,  and 
the  appropriate  Instruments  in  making  the  applications.  A  young 
lady,  aged  33,  otherwise  healthy,  came  to  me  last  fall,  Septem- 
ber, 18S1,  asking  advice  about  an  enlargement  of  the  parotid 
gland.  She  said  the  lump  had  been  coming  for  several  months, 
and  that,  notwithstanding  she  had  consulted  two  doctors,  and  had 
used  their  medicines,  the  gland  continued  to  enlarge.  When  she 
came  to  me  it  was  large  enough  to  make  her  appearance  quite 


Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus.  57 

unsightly,  and  she  was  very  anxious  to  have  it  reduced,  or  re- 
moved— anything  to  get  rid  of  it.  She  suffered  from  no  pain, 
neither  v^as  the  gland  tender  under  pressure  ;  no  increased  red- 
ness, but  the  tumor  was  very  hard. 

Treattnent. — I  attached  conducting  cords  to  a  twenty-four  cell 
zinc-carbon  galvanic  battery,  Mcintosh's,  and  on  the  distal  end 
of  the  positive  pole  I  attached  a  large  sponge  electrode.  On  the 
distal  end  of  the  negative  pole  I  attached  a  small  sponge  elec- 
trode. I  moistened  both  electrodes  with  warm  water,  and  placed 
the  one  attached  to  the  positive  pole  in  the  patient's  hand.  The 
small  electrode,  attached  to  the  negative  pole,  I  placed  firmly  on 
the  tumor,  and  held  it  there  for  fifteen  minutes.  After  fixing  the 
electrodes  as  above  described,  I  connected  six  cells  of  the  battery. 
This  produced  a  sensation  of  warmth  in  the  tumor,  or  in  the  skin 
covering  it.  I  carefully  connected  more  cells,  one  by  one,  till  a 
distinct  burning  sensation  was  complained  of,  but  I  did  not  re- 
move the  sponge  from  the  tumor  till  the  fifteen  minutes  were  up, 
I  did,  however,  move  the  sponge  about  over  the  tumor  during  the 
whole  time  of  the  operation,  I  did  this  to  prevent  a  caustic  ef- 
fect. When  I  removed  the  sponge  at  the  end  of  the  fifteen  min- 
utes, the  skin  covering  the  tumor  was  very  red,  I  had  this  pa- 
tient return  twice  a  week  for  a  month,  and  I  could  see  a  decided 
improvement.  The  decomposition  of  the  fluids  in  this  tumor, 
effected  by  the  application  of  the  negative  pole  externally,  was 
resulting  in  a  gradual  dissipation  of  the  enlargement.  But  the 
process  seemed  slow,  and  we  determined  to  resort  to  a  more  di- 
rect method  of  application.  Instead  of  using  a  small  sponge 
electrode  on  the  negative  pole,  I  attached  an  electrolysis  needle. 
This  is  a  harpoon  shaped  needle  made  expressly  for  the  purpose. 
About  a  half  an  inch  of  the  pointed  end  is  left  exposed ;  the  re- 
mainder of  the  needle  is  carefully  insulated  with  guttapercha. 
These  needles  are  kept  in  stock  by  surgical  instrument  makers, 
and  can  be  had  of  different  sizes,  styles  and  shapes,  already  in- 
sulated and  ready  for  vise.  One  of  these  needles  attached  to  the 
negative  pole,  as  above  stated,  and  the  sponge  attached  to  the 
positive  electrode  placed  in  the  patient's  hand,  I  thi'ust  this  elec- 
trolysis needle  into  the  center  of  the  tumor.  This  was  readily 
done  by  picking  up  the  tumor  between  the  thumb  and  fingers,  and 


58  Electricity  axd  Electrical  Apparatus. 

giving  the  needle  a  quick  motion,  as  in  introducing  a  hypoder- 
mic syringe.  I  now  turned  on  six  cells.  The  patient  complained 
a  little  of  a  burning  sensation,  but  she  could  hear  it  stronger,  and 
we  carefully  connected  other  cells,  one  by  one,  till  twelve  were 
hicluded  in  the  circuit.  This  was  all  done  in  a  minute  or  two. 
By  this  time  the  needle  seemed  quite  loose  in  the  tissues,  and  I 
could  turn  it  about  in  any  direction.  I  took  advantage  of  this  and 
did  turn  the  point  in  different  ways,  and  by  the  time  the  fifteen 
minutes  were  up,  the  time  usually  occupied  in  electrolysis 
seances,  the  needle  seemed  to  be  in  a  free  space.  I  now  turned 
off  the  battery,  withdrew  the  needle  and  dismissed  the  patient 
for  a  few  days.  But  little  inflammation  resulted  from  this  oper- 
ation, and  scarcely  any  soreness  was  left  after  three  days.  The 
tumor  had  rapidly  shrunken,  and  by  the  use  of  sponge  electrodes 
applied  externally  after  this  twice  a  week,  it  speedly  diminished 
in  size,  and  finally  disappeared  entirely. 

It  should  be  observed  that  in  the  introduction  of  electrolysis 
needles  into  deep  tissues,  they  should  always  be  introduced  so 
that  a  part  of  the  insulated  portion  of  the  needle  goes  beneath  the 
skin.  This  protects  the  skin  fi"om  the  electrolic  effect  of  the 
current,  and  saves  the  patient  from  great  pain. 

While  tumors,  swellings  and  enlargements  of  various  kinds 
may  be  reduced  in  size,  and  finally  removed  by  external  electroly- 
sis, where  it  is  practicable,  the  introduction  of  needles  into  the 
tissues  will  result  in  a  more  rapid  dissipation  of  morbid  growth. 
And,  in  some  cases,  it  is  required,  to  introduce  these  needles 
quite  a  number  of  times ;  in  others,  one  application  is  enough. 
Take  a  wart  on  the  hand  or  face  for  instance.  Let  the  patient 
take  the  sponge  of  the  positive  electrode  in  the  hand,  while  we 
apply  an  electrolysis  needle,  attached  to  the  negative  pole,  to  th6 
little  tumor.  The  needle  should  be  well  fixed  in  the  wart  before 
the  current  is  turned  on,  and  then  one  or  two  cells  at  a  time 
should  be  connected  till  the  current  is  the  required  strength.  The 
needle  should  not  be  taken  away  during  the  operation,  for  every 
time  we  take  it  off  and  reapply  it  we  break  the  current,  and  this 
produces  a  shock  which  unnecessarily  annoys  the  patient.  We 
may  move  the  needle  about  a  little,  so  as  to  completely  disor- 
ganize the  whole  tumor  during  the  one  operation ;  but  we  should 


Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus.  59 

be  careful  in  moving  the  needle  that  we  do  not,  at  any  time,  lift 
it  from  the  tumor.  When  done,  before  removing  the  needle, 
and  this  should  be  obsei-ved  in  all  cases,  disconnect  the  cells,  or 
turn  them  off. 

In  all  such  cases  as  these  the  operator  will  be  governed  by  the 
results  in  the  number  of  cells  used.  First  turn  on  two  or-  three, 
and  if  but  little  effect  is  produced,  connect  others,  and  continue 
to  increase  till  a  burning  sensation  is  complained  of,  and  the  tis- 
sues at  the  needle  turn  white,  and  the  needle  loosens.  Fifteen 
minutes  is  long  enough  for  any  operation  in  electrolysis. 

Some  operators  apply  the  sponge  electrodes  of  both  poles  to 
the  diseased  parts,  only  at  different  points ;  and  they  attach  elec- 
trolysis needles  to  both  poles  of  the  battery,  where  needles  are 
used,  and  they  thrust  both  needles  into  the  tissues,  only  at  ex- 
treme points.  This  may  be  better  than  the  plan  we  have  prac- 
ticed and  suggested,  but  we  doubt  it  very  much.  We  have  tried 
it,  and  could  never  discover  any  advantage.  And  the  needle  of 
the  positive  pole,  unless  well  covered  with  gold,  is  so  corroded 
and  the  tissues  so  hardened  about  it  that  at  the  end  of  fifteen 
minutes  it  is  removed  with  difficulty.  A  sponge  on  the  positive 
pole,  held  in  the  hand,  and  a  needle  on  the  negative  pole  is  all 
sufficient — the  best. 

Electrolysis,  applied  in  different  ways,  is  a  potent  measure  in 
such  diseases  as  goitre,  benign  and  malignant  tumors,  mother's 
marks,  chronic  rheumatic  swellings,  &c.  In  fact  this  is  one  of 
the  most  valuable  therapeutic  uses  of  electricity,  if  not  really  the 
most  important  of  all.  T.he  current  should  be  as  strong  as  can 
be  borne,  and  if  necessary  anassthetics,  local  or  general,  should  be 
used. 

THE  REMOVAL  OF  HAIRS  BY  ELECTROLYSIS. 


Electrolysis  is  successfully  resorted  to  for  the  removal  of  hairs 
from  the  face,  when  it  is  desirable  to  have  them  permanently  re- 
moved. Frequently  the  opinion  and  advice  of  the  physician  is 
sought  by  women  respecting  this  abnormal  and  obnoxious  growth. 
This  growth  of  hair  on  the  face  of  a  lady  is  not  always  a  trifling 
matter.  It  may  not  kill  the  patient,  but  it  is  almost  certain  to  oc- 
casion great  annoyance.     It  is  very  apt  to  affect  her  disposition, 


6o  Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus. 

and  to  injure  her  prospects  in  life,  especially  if  she  be  young  and 
unmarried ;  and  it  may  eventually  ruin  both  her  health  and  her 
happiness  by  producing  a  mental  disquietude  which  in  many  in- 
stances urges  on  melancholy. 

These  observations,  from  a  paper  written  by  George  Henry 
Fox,  A.  M.,  M.  D.,  read  before  the  Medical  society  of  New 
York,  with  the  following  detailed  procedure  for  the  removal  of 
this  offensive  growth,  taken  from  the  same  paper,  may  interest 
a  few,  and  it  would  leave  our  work  incomplete  to  omit  this  use 
of  electrolysis : 

"  The  operation  for  the  permanent  removal  of  hairs  by  elec- 
trolysis, has  been  described  by  several  who  have  written  on  the 
subject,  and  the  descriptions  differ  merely  in  a  few  non-essential 
points.  The  operation  is  a  simple  one,  which  any  physician 
with  a  steady  hand  and  keen  eye  can  readily  perform,  although, 
as  in  many  other  simple  operations,  a  peculiar  dexterity  is  re- 
quired, and  far  more  satisfactory  results  are  obtained  after  a  cer- 
tain amount  of  experience.  An  ordinary  galvanic  battery  is  re- 
quired and  a  fine  needle,  which  is  to  be  attached  to  the  negative 
cord.  The  number  of  cells  required  for  the  operation  depends 
upon  the  activity  of  the  battery,  the  delicacy  of  the  patient's  skin, 
and  the  strength  of  the  hairs  to  be  removed,  and  should  be  de- 
termined in  each  case  by  the  effect  which  is  produced.  I  com- 
monly use  from  ten  to  sixteen  cells  of  a  zinc-carbon  battery,  or  a 
corresponding  number  of  a  chloride  of  silver  battery. 

"  Upon  the  style  of  needle  employed  depends,  in  a  large  meas- 
ure, the  success  of  the  operation.  A  fine  cambric  needle,  which 
has  been  recommended,  may  be  successfully  used,  but  on  account 
of  its  stiffness  it  is  more  difficult  to  introduce  it  into  the  follicle 
without  piercing  the  follicular  wall  than  the  hair-like  flexible 
steel  broach  which  I  have  recommended  and  invariably  use.  The 
cambric  needle  being  larger  is  also  productive  of  more  inflamma- 
tory reaction,  and  more  likely  to  leave  permanent  traces  of  the 
operation.  Formerly  I  used  a  very  fine  platinum  wire,  pointed 
by  means  of  a  jeweler's  file,  but  the  delicate  flexible  broach,  much 
finer  than  those  commonly  employed  by  dentists  in  extracting 
nerves,  is  far  superior  to  any  other  needle  which  I  have  ever  seen, 
and  is  almost  a  necessity  in  removing  the  hairs  from  the    upper 


Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus.  6i 

lip  without  the  production  of  a  scar.  The  needle  can  be  readily 
attached  to  the  end  of  the  battery  cord  by  a  few  turns  of  copper- 
wire  protected  by  an  inch  or  more  of  rubber  tubing,  or  a  special 
handle  inay  be  made  for  the  purpose. 

"  Provided  with  battery  and  needle,  the  next  thing  is  to  get  the 
patient  in  a  proper  chair  and  in  a  proper  light.  A  high  reclining 
chair  and  a  southerly  bay-window  are  desirable,  but  the  main 
point  is  to  secure  sufficient  light  and  to  have  the  operator's  eyes 
upon  a  level  with  the  patient's  chin.  The  needle  is  now  intro- 
duced into  the  follicle  by  the  side  of  the  hair.  If  this  is  skillfully 
done,  no  pain  whatever  is  felt  by  the  patient.  The  sponge-cup 
or  sponge-tipped  positive  electrode  should  now  be  used  to  com- 
plete the  circuit.  This  may  be  applied  to  the  skin  in  the  imme- 
diate vicinity  of  the  hair,  if  but  a  few  cells  are  used,  but  it  is  usu- 
ally more  convenient  to  allow  the  patient  to  hold  the  positive 
electrode  in  one  hand,  and  when  the  needle  has  entered  the  folli- 
cle, to  ask  her  to  complete  the  circuit  by  applying  the  moistened 
sponge  to  the  palm  of  either  hand.  The  electrolytic  action 
now  manifests  itself  subjectively  in  the  form  of  a  sharp  stinging 
sensation,  and  objectively  in  the  form  of  slight  hypersemia  around 
the  needle.  In  a  few  seconds  the  hyperaemia  will  give  place  to  a 
blanching  of  the  skin,  and  a  little  froth  will  appear  at  the  mouth 
of  the  follicle.  If  the  hair  be  now  seized  with  a  pair  of  forceps 
and  the  gentlest  traction  exerted,  it  will  be  found  to  be  loose  in 
the  follicle  in  the  coui^se  of  from  ten  to  twenty  seconds,  provided 
the  needle  has  been  skillfully  introduced.  Before  withdrawing 
the  needle  the  patient  should  remove  her  hand  from  the  sponge, 
in  order  to  avoid  the  slight  shock  which  would  othenvise  be  felt. 

"In  a  paper  on  this  subject  which  I  read  before  the  New  York 
State  Medical  Society,  three  years  ago,  I  recommended  the  ex- 
traction of  the  hair  before  introduction  of  the  needle  where  the 
follicles  were  of  large  size.  Under  no  circumstances,  at  the  pres- 
ent time,  do  I  ever  remove  the  hair  until  it  is  loosened  by  means 
of  the  electi'olysis. 

"  At  that  time  I  was  in  the  habit  of  using  a  much  coarser 
needle  than  I  do  at  present.  With  the  finest  flexible  needle  it  is 
extremely  rare  to  produce  wheals  or  pustulation.  In  many  cases 
the  effect  of  the  operation  is  simply  to  leave  red  points,  which 
soon  disappear. 


63  Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus. 

"  The  operation  is  by  no  means  u  pleasant  one,  but  rarely 
does  a  patient  make  any  complaint  of  pain.  The  majority  say  it 
is  not  as  unpleasant  as  having  teeth  filled  in  a  dentist's  chair,  and 
with  the  fine  needle  the  painful  sensation  is  greatly  reduced.  At 
the  first  sitting  the  patient  is  often  nervous,  and  suffers  really 
more  than  in  a  dozen  subsequent  operations.  When  the  sitting 
is  prolonged,  and  especially  in  a  poor  light,  the  removal  of  the 
hair  is  very  trying  to  the  eyes  of  the  operator.  At  certain  times 
I  know  that  I  have  suffered  quite  as  much  or  eyen  more  than  the 
patient.  The  use  of  a  lens  held  in  the  hand  or  fixed  before  the 
eye  has  been  suggested,  but  for  my  part  I  find  one  of  no  value. 
A  delicacy  of  touch  and  steadiness  of  hand  is  more  essential  in 
this  operation  than  an  unusual  keenness  of  vision. 

"  As  to  the  number  of  hairs  which  can  be  removed  at  one  sit- 
ting, I  would  say  that  from  thirty  to  fifty  is  the  number  which  I 
usually  expect  to  destroy  in  an  operation  lasting  three-quarters  of 
an  hour.  Upon  the  neck  it  takes  much  longer  to  destroy  hairs 
than  upon  the  chin  or  cheeks.  I  have  removed  over  two  hundred 
hairs  at  one  sitting,  when  patients  from  a  distance  were  anxious 
to  leave  the  city  ;  but  I  deem  it  far  better  to  spare  one's  eyes  and 
to  be  more  thorough,  even  if  it  involves  a  greater  number  of  sit- 
tings. 

"  If  the  operation  is  veiy  skillfully  performed,  it  ought  not  to 
leave  scars,  as  a  rule.  In  some  cases  it  is  impossible  to  prevent 
the  production  of  minute  punctate  cicatrices,  which,  however, 
can  only  be  seen  on  close  inspection.  I  made  a  mistake  in  some 
of  my  earlier  cases  in  operating  upon  two  or  more  coarse  hairs 
very  close  together,  instead  of  taking  one  here  and  there  at  short 
distances  apart.  A  little  attention  to  this  hint  may  serve  to  pre- 
vent the  production  of  slight  scarring  by  those  who  may  attempt 
the  operation.  Here  again  I  must  refer  to  the  fine  needle,  for 
its  use  greatly  lessens  the  liability  to  the  production  of  scars. 

"  As  regards  the  immediate  success  of  the  operation,  it  must 
be  stated  that,  as  a  rule,  a  certain  percentage  of  hairs  will  return 
and  demand  removal  a  second  time.  I  used  to  expect  a  return  of 
from  thirty  to  fifty  per  cent  of  the  hairs,  while  now  I  am  surpris- 
ed if  from  five  to  ten  per  cent  reappear.  In  one  case  in  which  I 
removed  over  fifty  hairs  with  unusual  care,  not  a  single  one  has 


Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus.  63 

returned  after  an  interval  of  three  months.  In  some  patients  the 
growth  of  hair  appears  to  have  ceased,  for  some  unknown  cause, 
and  when  the  hairs  are  destroyed  the  cure  is  effected.  In  other 
patients  the  fine  hairs  are  constantly  growing  larger  and  darker, 
and  after  the  most  conspicuous  have  been  removed  a  new  growth 
will  in  time  succeed,  and  appear,  perhaps,  like  a  return  of  those 
previously  removed. 

' '  In  this  operation  for  the  permanent  removal  of  hair  the  ques- 
tion arises  as  to  how  the  electricity  destroys  the  papilla  from 
which  the  hair  springs.  Is  it  by  thermic  or  by  electro-chemical 
action  ?  A  recent  writer  on  the  subject  objects  to  the  use  of  the 
term  electrolysis  as  being  a  misnomer,  claims-  that  the  heat  gener- 
ated in  the  needle  by  the  passage  of  the  electricity  is  the  active  agent 
in  the  destruction  of  the  tissue,  and  suggests  for  the  operation  the 
name  of  akido-galvano-cauto'y .  It  cannot  be  denied  that  in  this 
operation  the  temperature  of  the  needle  is  slightly  raised  by  its 
resistance  to  the  galvanic  current,  but  surely  not  to  such  a  degree 
as  to  produce  a  caustic  effect.  On  the  other  hand,  it  is  evident, 
from  the  frothing  seen  at  the  mouth  of  the  follicle  and  other  ef- 
fects, that  a  decomposition  of  the  water  and  salts  contained  in  the 
cutaneous  tissues  is  taking  place  around  the  needle  and  causing 
the  escape  of  bubbles  of  hydrogen.  This  is  certainly  nothing 
more  nor  less  than  electrolysis. 

"  In  conclusion,  I  would  like  to  refer  to  the  cause  of  facial  hir- 
suties  in  females,  and  I  shall  speak  briefly  on  this  point,  for  I 
know  very  little  about  it.  I  have  wondered  and  pondered  by  the 
half-hour  while  operating  on  cases,  and  endeavored  to  find  some 
characteristic  common  to  all  of  my  patients,  but  in  vain.  Some 
are  in  fine  physical  condition,  while  others  are  debilitated.  Some 
are  extremely  nervous  ;  some  are  not  so  in  the  slightest  degree. 
Some  are  stout  and  others  thin.  Some  are  of  dark  and  others  of 
light  complexion.  Some  are  maidens  from  twenty  to  fifty  years 
of  age  ;  while  of  others  who  are  married,  some  have  children  and 
some  have  none.  The  somewhat  common  idea  that  the  growth 
of  a  beard  in  the  female  is  necessarily  associated  with  masculine 
traits  of  character  is  certainly  not  founded  upon  fact,  for  most  of 
my  patients  have  presented  the  very  highest  type  of  feminine  re- 
finement.    That  facial  hirsuties  is  dependent  upon  a  malforma- 


64  Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus. 

tion  or  imperfect  development  of  the  reproductive  organs,  as 
some  liave  claimed,  is,  in  my  opinion,  doubtful.  Certainly,  an 
intimate  relation  betv^^een  these  two  conditions  has  not  been  sat- 
isfactorily proven,  save  in  a  few  exceptional  cases. 

"  The  relation  of  facial  hairiness  in  females  to  derangement  of 
the  nervous  system  is  a  subject  which  has  already  commanded 
attention,  but  has  not  as  yet  been  sufficiently  studied.  I  have  al- 
ready "spoken  of  the  depressed  mental  condition  existing  in  many 
of  my  patients,  and  which  I  believe  to  be  not  merely  a  result  of 
the  disfiguring  growth  of  hair,  but  a  symptom  of  general  nervous 
disease,  upon  w^hich  the  hirsuties  in  all  probability  depends.  Ex- 
cessive growth  of  hair,  whether  in  the  male  or  female,  is  an  aber- 
ration of  nutrition,  and  not  a  sign  of  excessive  vitality.  The 
Samsons  of  the  present  day  are  clean-limbed,  and  usually  short- 
haired  specimens  of  the  human  race,  and  in  our  highest  type  of 
feminine  health  and  beauty  there  is  but  a  moderate  growth  of 
hair.  The  lady  in  the  museum,  whose  luxuriant  tresses  trail 
upon  the  floor,  is  rarely,  if  ever,  well-developed,  and,  like  her 
bearded  sister,  furnishes  unmistakable  evidence  of  perverted  nu- 
trition. 

"  An  abnormal  growth  of  hair,  whether  it  be  m  respect  to 
length  or  location,  indicates  an  abnormal  condition  of  the  nervous 
system.  Precisely  what  this  condition  may  be,  and  how  it  may 
be  remedied,  I  must  leave  for  others  to  determine. 

"  In  the  following  report  of  cases,  I  have  selected  twelve  of 
those  in  which  the  growth  of  hair  was  inore  or  less  abundant, 
and  which  will  serve  to  illustrate  some  of  the  difficulties  in  the 
way  of  treatment,  as  well  as  its  success. 

"  Case  I. — Mrs. ,  aged   thirty-one,  married    at  eighteen, 

and  has  one  child.  Is  quite  stout  and  in  fair  health.  Is  greatly 
worried  by  a  growth  of  hair  upon  chin  and  neck.  Seldom  goes 
out  for  exercise,  but  prefers  "to  sit  and  mope."  Her  sleep  is 
often  disturbed  by  the  thought  of  her  "  misfortune."  The  pa- 
tient IS  almost  a  monomaniac  on  the  subject  of  her  beard,  and 
most  of  the  time  is  greatly  depressed  in  mind.  The  growth  of 
hair  upon  extremities  is  abnormal.  The  facial  hirsuties  appeared 
about  two  years  ago,  and  pulling  the  hair  out  seemed  to  increase 
the  growth.     As    a  proof  that  pulling   makes   the    hairs    grow 


Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus.  65 

stronger,  she  cites  the  fact  that  the  hairs  on  the  right  extremity 
of  upper  lip,  which  she  could  pull  more  readily  than  on  the  left 
side,  are  now  much  more  developed  in  size.  There  is  no  ten- 
tency  to  hirsuties  among  her  female  relations. 

"  Applied  for  treatment  in  March,  18S0.  During  the  summer 
I  removed  over  a  thousand  dark  hairs,  leaving  an  abundant 
growth  of  fine  pigmentless  hairs,  which  were  scarceh"  noticeable 
at  the  distance  of  a  few  feet.  At  her  earnest  request,  I  continued 
to  operate  ui)on  these  and  removed  a  second  thousand  or  more, 
most  of  which  were  so  fine  as  to  constitute  no  disfigurement 
whatever,  but  their  removal  produced  a  marked  indirect  effect 
upon  her  health  and  happiness.  In  this  case  about  twenty-five 
hundred  hairs  were  removed  by  count.  How  many  of  these  re- 
appeared and  were  removed  a  second  time  it  is  diflicult  to  say. 
There  was,  evidently,  a  constant  tendency  for  the  fine  downy 
hairs  to  develop  in  size  and  thickness,  and  at  times  I  despaired  of 
being  able  to  effect  their  removal,  but  after  eighteen  months  of 
intermittent  treatment,  success  crowned  my  efforts,  and  her  chin 
and  neck  appeared  quite  smooth  and  natural.  In  January,  1883, 
I  saw  the  patient,  at  which  time  there  were  no  conspicuous  han's, 
and  she  stated  that  she  considered  the  operations  to  have  been 
perfectly  successful  and  that  the  results  had  far  exceeded  her  an- 
ticipations. 

"Case  II. — Miss ,   aged  twenty-four;    a  tall  blonde,   in 

good  health.  Applied  for  treatment  in  October,  1S79,  on  ac- 
count of  a  growth  of  light  hairs  on  both  sides  of  chin,  about  an 
inch  in  length.  She  had  consulted  the  eminent  dermatologist  of 
London,  Prof.  Erasmus  Wilson,  and  stated  that  she  had  been  ad- 
vised by  him  not  to  touch  the  hairs,  and  informed  that  absolutely 
nothing  could  be  done  in  her  case.  Her  extremities  were  quite 
hairy,  and  the  hair  of  the  head  was  thick  and  long.  The  hair  on 
her  chin  had  mostly  grown  during  the  previous  year,  and  after  a 
severe  fever.  In  this  case  I  removed  three  hundred  hairs,  oper- 
ating upon  the  left  side  of  chin  by  electrolysis,  and  upon  tlie  right 
side  by  the  method  suggested  for  the  mechanical  destruction  of 
the  follicle,  consisting  in  the  introduction  and  sudden  twisting  of 
a  barbed  needle.  In  April,  iSSo,  the  patient  returned  to  the 
city,  and   I  found  tliat   nearly  all  of    the  hairs  upon  tlie  right  side 


66  Elkctricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus. 

had  returned,  while  there  was  a  perceptible  diminution  of  the 
number  upon  the  left  side  of  chin,  where  the  electrolysis  had 
been  employed.  In  April  I  removed  one  hundred  and  fifty,  and 
in  June  one  hundred  hairs  of  a  finer  growth  than  those  first  op- 
erated upon,  which  left  the  face  quite  free. 

"Case  III. — Miss ,  a  young  lady,  aged  twenty-six;    tall 

and  of  fair  complexion ;  in  good  health,  though  delicate  in  ap- 
pearance and  inheriting  a  tendency  to  pulmonary  disease.  Ap- 
plied for  treatment  in  December,  1879,  on  account  of  hairs  grow- 
ing on  either  side  of  chin,  which  had  appeared  within  three 
months.  There  was  a  very  light  moustache  on  upper  lip,  though 
scarcely  more  than  is  commonly  seen.  In  two  operations  I  re- 
moved sixty  hairs  from  right  side,  and  thirty-five  from  left  side  of 
chin. 

"  In  May,  1S80,  about  ten  of  the  dark  long  hairs,  previously 
operated  on,  appeared  to  have  returned.  Removed  twenty-five 
from  either  side  of  chin,  most  of  them  being  fine  and  light- 
colored. 

"  In  October,  the  patient  reported  that  she  had  been  free  from 
the  capillary  growth  during  the  early  part  of  the  summer,  but 
during  the  past  two  months  a  few  fine  hairs  on  either  side  of 
chin  had  rapidly  increased  in  size.  These  were  removed,  and  as 
I  have  recently  been  informed  by  a  member  of  her  fainily,  there 
has  been  no  subsequent  appearance  of  the  hairs. 

"  Case  IV. — Miss ,  aged  thirty-two,  tall,  of  blonde  com- 
plexion, and  lymphatic  temperament ;  health  good.  Applied  for 
treatment  in  June,  1880,  on  account  of  long  curling  hairs  on  sides 
of  chin  and  a  mole  on  neck.  She  had  been  in  the  habit  of  pull- 
ing them  every  three  weeks.  There  was  no  hirsuties  on  other 
portions  of  her  body,  nor  were  any  female  relatives  affected  sim- 
ilarly. Her  hair,  a  lock  of  which  turned  gray  at  sixteen,  ap- 
peared quite  gray  in  front,  while  the  back  hair  was  of  a  natural 
brown  hue.  Upon  her  legs  a  singular  condition  had  existed  for 
two  or  three  years.  The  hair  upon  the  tibial  region,  instead  of 
being  normal  or  in  excess,  had  almost  entirely  disappeared,  and 
the  existence  of  many  follicles,  either  inflamed  or  distended  by 
an  accumulation  of  epidermic  cells,  showed  plainly  that  the  loss 
of  hair  was  the  result  of  the  affection   which  is  known  as  lichen 


Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus.  G^j 

pilaris.  The  hair  upon  her  chin  had  been  growing  for  five  years 
or  more. 

"  In  June  and  July  I  removed  one  hundred  and  sixty  hairs. 

"In  November  I  removed  eighty,  inuch  finer  than  those  first 
operated  upon. 

"  In  June,  iSSi,  there  were  but  seven  to  be  removed. 

*'  In  January,  1SS2,  I  removed  twenty-five,  which  were  evidently 
of  recent  development,  and  not  a  return  of  those  previously  op- 
erated upon. 

"Case  V. — Miss  ,  a  maiden  lady,    aged   forty-six;  tall, 

thin,  and  of  dark  complexion ;  health  poor.  Applied  for  treat- 
ment in  July,  iSSo,  on  account  of  nuinerous  fine  dark  hairs  upon 
either  side  of  chin.  She  had  been  in  the  habit  of  cutting  them 
close  or  pulling  them  out,  and  at  the  time  of  her  first  visit  they 
w^ere  about  half  an  inch  in  length.  There  was  no  excessive 
growth  of  hair  on  other  portions  of  the  body.  The  hairs  on 
chin  had  begun  to  grow  at  eighteen  years  of  age,  and  she  stated 
that  a  sister  and  two  paternal  aunts  suffered  in  very  much  the 
same  vs^ay.  During  the  week  in  which  she  remained  in  the  city  I 
removed  five  hundred  of  the  largest  hairs  in  six  operations. 

"  In  September  she  returned  to  the  city  with  apparently  as  lux- 
uriant a  growth  as  before,  and  no  indication,  at  first  glance,  of 
any  having  been  removed.  Close  inspection,  however,  showed 
a  few  red  points,  especially  on  upper  lip,  where  hairs  had  evi- 
dently been  destroyed.  I  now  removed  six  hundred  in  four  op- 
erations, including  many  finer  hairs,  and  used  a  stronger  current 
and  far  more  care  in  operating  than  I  did  at  first. 

"In  November  the  number  of  hairs  was  evidently  decreased, and 
I  removed  less  than  a  hundred. 

"In  June,  18S1,  there  were  but  a  few  conspicuous  hairs. 
I  removed  one  hundred  more,  however,  most  of  them  being  very 
fine. 

"  In  October  there  were  but  seven  dark  hairs,  which  I  removed 
with  twenty-five  downy  ones,  which  appeared  as  though  they 
might  develop  and  become  conspicuous.  A  few  ininute  cicatrices 
were  visible  upon  close  inspection.  The  patient  has  since  writ- 
ten to  me  as  follows  : 

""•  The  result  of  the  operation  is  very  satisfactory.     There  are 


68  Electricity  axd  Electrical  Apparatus. 

no  hairs  perceptible  on  lip  or  chin,  and  the  few  scars  are  not  no- 
ticeable.' 

"•Case  VI. — Mrs.  ,    a  married  lady,    aged  twenty-five; 

quite  stout,  of  dark  complexion,  and  in  fair  health.  Applied  for 
treatment,  in  August,  iSSo,  on  account  of  long,  dark,  curling 
hairs  upon  either  side  of  chin,  for  which  she  had  been  recently 
applying  a  depilatory.  She  had  a  luxuriant  growth  of  hair  upon 
the  head,  and  said  that  no  female  relative  was  affected  with  hir- 
suties.  The  growth  of  hair  upon  her  face  was  first  noticed  at 
eighteen  years  of  age.  She  began  to  pull  out  the  hairs  three 
years  ago  at  long  intervals,  but  more  frequently  of  late.  She 
thinfe  that  the  epilation  increased  the  growth,  but  not  so  much 
as  did  the  depilatory  powder  which  she  used. 

"  In  twelve  sittings,  extending  through  a  year.  I  removed  four 
hundred  and  fifty  hairs,  one-half  of  them  being  quite  fine  and 
evincing  a  marked  tendency  to  develop  in  size.  After  a  six 
months'  intei-val,  the  patient  writes  that  the  operations  have 
proved  satisfactory,  although  the  growth  has  not  been  entirely 
removed,  and  a  little  more  must  be  done  to  make  a  complete 
cure. 

"Case  VII. — Miss ,  a   maiden   lady  of  forty-six;   small, 

thin  and  dark ;  in  fair  health,  although  of  delicate  appearance. 
Applied  for  treatment  in  October,  1880,  on  account  of  dark, 
curling  hairs  on  sides  of  chin,  and  dark  hairs  at  either  end  of  up- 
per lip.  The  growth  first  appeared  on  lip  fifteen  years  ago. 
This  had  been  treated  by  applications  of  sulphuric  acid,  which 
had  lessened  the  growth  of  hair  in  the  centre  of  the  lip,  and 
given  it  a  wider  appearance  than  the  rest  of  the  face.  The  hair 
first  appeared  on  chin  three  years  ago.  Her  mother  had  four  or 
five  hairy  moles  on  her  chin. 

"  In  October,  I  removed  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  hairs. 

"  In  the  following  June,  iSSi,  the  patient  returned  to  the  city, 
and  I  removed  seventy-five  hairs.  It  must  not  be  inferred  that 
over  one-half  of  the  hairs  upon  which  I  first  operated  had  re- 
turned, as  in  this  second  operation  I  removed  many  fine  hairs 
which  had  been  left. 

"  In  November  there  were  but  one  or  two  hairs  at  all  csonpicu- 
ous.     These  I  i-emoved,  with  a  few  more  fine  ones,  and  the  pa- 


Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus.  69 

tient  returned  to  her  home  well  pleased  with  the  results  of  treat- 
ment. 

"Case  VIII. — Miss ,  aged    about   thirty;   tall,  dark,  and 

of  extremely  nervous  temperament ;  health  good.  Applied  for 
treatment,  in  January,  188 1,  for  a  slight  growth  of  hair  mostly 
on  right  side  of  chin,  which  had  appeared  during  the  preceding 
year.  She  had  always  noticed  a  tendency  to  a  slight  excess  of 
hair  upon  extremities,  although  upon  the  scalp  her  hair  was  rather 
thin. 

"  At  two  ojDerations,  in  January  and  February,  I  removed 
thirty-two  hairs  from  chin  and  left  cheek. 

"  In  June  there  were  but  five  hairs  to  remove. 

'"In  Februaiy,  1S82,  I  removed  twenty-seven  fine  hairs,  which 
were  evidently  a  recent  development  and  not  a  return  of  those 
previously  operated  upon. 

"  Case  IX. — Mrs.  ,  a  married  lady,  of   about   forty-five, 

with  no  children;  tall,  thin,  and  of  dark  complexion;  health 
poor;  applied  for  treatment  in  March,  188 1,  on  account  of  a  few 
fine  and  long  hairs  on  chin,  and  a  fibrous  mole  on  right  cheek, 
from  which  a  few  hairs  sprung.  She  had  first  noticed  the  growth 
of  hair  about  three  years  before  and  had  resorted  to  depilatories 
and  epilation.  In  March  I  removed  forty-five  haii^s  from  the  chin 
and  inserted  the  needle  at  several  points  around  the  base  of  the 
mole,  which  was  of  the  size  of  a  split  pea.  In  June,  there  was 
scarcely  a  trace  of  the  mole  and  no  hair  on  chin,  save  a  very  few 
fine  ones  which  I  removed.  I  have  heard  through  friends  of  the 
patient  since  that  the  growth  of  hair  was  permanently  removed. 

"  Case  X. — Mrs. ,  a  young  married  lady  of  twenty-eight; 

of  rather  weak  constitution,  but  in  fair  health.  Applied  for 
treatment  in  April,  1880,  with  an  abundant  growth  of  fine,  soft 
hair  on  cheeks,  chin,  and  neck,  which,  if  allowed  to  grow, 
would  undoubtedly  have  produced  a  fine,  thick,  soft  beard.  The 
upper  lip  was  free  from  an  excess  of  hair,  and  there  was  no  ten- 
dency to  hirsuties  on  other  parts  of  the  body.  The  growth  of 
hair  began  at  the  age  of  fourteen,  and  there  had  been  no  percepti- 
ble increase  during  the  past  three  or  four  years.  For  nine  years 
she  had  been  in  the  habit  of  pulling  out  the  hairs  at  intei-vals  of 
three  days,  and   necessarily  devoting   a   liberal  amount   of  her 


yo  Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus. 

time  to  this  procedure.  Attempts  had  been  made  to  destroy  the 
hairs  by  liypodermic  injections  of  carboHc  acid,  but  with  no  re- 
sult save  the  production  of  a  few  disfiguring  scars.  The  patient 
stated  that  her  mother  had  a  remarkably  fair  complexion,  and 
that  no  female  relative  suffered  from  hirsuties. 

"  During  the  months  of  ISIay  and  June  I  operated  daily,  and 
sometimes  twice  a  day  upon  the  patient's  face,  and  removed  up- 
ward of  five  thousand  hairs.  I  operated  rapidly — too  rapidly,  as 
the  sequel  proved — and  removed  from  one  to  two  hundred  hairs 
at  a  sitting. 

"  In  October,  iSSi,  the  patient  came  again  to  New  York,  and 
at  first  glance  I  could  not  see  that  very  much  had  been  accom- 
plished. She  expressed  her  opinion,  nevertheless,  that  the  op- 
erations of  the  previous  year  had  proven  quite  satisfactory,  inas- 
much as  they  had  lessened  the  growth  of  hair  decidedly.  I  ac- 
cordingly resumed  the  treatment,  and  with  the  assistance  of  Dr. 
W.  S.  Conover  removed  about  one  thousand  hairs.  This  left  the 
face  much  smoother  and  more  free  from  hair  than  after  the  first 
series  of  operations. 

"Case  XL — Miss ,  aged  thirty-five  ;  of  dark  complexion, 

and  in  fair  health  ;  a  teacher  by  occupation.  Applied  for  treat- 
ment in  December,  1879,  with  a  thick  and  strong  growth  of  black 
hairs  on  cheeks,  lip,  chin,  and  neck.  Indeed,  she  would  have 
had  as  perfect  a  beard  as  almost  any  of  the  women  on  exhibition 
if  she  had  allowed  the  hair  to  grow,  but  for  over  fifteen  years  she 
had  been  using  both  a  depilatory  and  the  tweezers.  Four  hours 
at  a  time  she  was  in  the  habit  of  devoting  to  the  painful  opera- 
tion of  removing  the  hair.  Neither  her  mother  nor  any  one  of 
four  sisters  manifested  any  tendency  to  hirsuties,  and  the  patient 
herself  did  not,  except  on  face. 

"  During  the  first  six  months  of  tr-eatment  I  removed,  with  the 
assistance  of  Dr.  Conover,  over  twenty-seven  hundred  hairs. 
During  the  following  year  about  twenty-three  hundred  were  re- 
moved by  Dr.  Conover  and  myself,  making  five  thousand  hairs 
in  all. 

The  patient  is  still  under  occasional  treatment  for  the  gi^owth 
of  hair  upon  the  upper  lip,  from  which  would  grow  a  strong 
moustache.      The    removal  of  this    is  very  tedious,  since  with  a 


Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus.  71 

view  to  the  prevention  of  ev^en  minute  scars,  she  only  allowc  ■' 
dozen  or  more  isolated  hairs  to  grow  at  one  time  upon  the  lip. 
The  left  side  of  her  face,  exclusive  of  the  upper  lip,  is,  and  has 
been  for  the  past  eight  montt^s,  perfectly  free  from  the  objec- 
tionable growth.  Upon  the  right  side  the  hairs  were  removed 
v/ith  less  care  at  first,  and  some  fine  ones  have  been  lately  re- 
moved. There  have  been  many  minute  cicatrices  left  by  the 
needle,  but  they  are  of  little  account,  and  the  result  of  the  pro- 
longed treatment  has  been  most  satisfactory  both  to  myself  and 
to  the  patient. 

"  Case  XII. — Mrs. ,  a  large,  handsome  lady,  aged  twenty- 
five,  and  apparently  in  perfect  health  ;  married  four  years  and  no 
children.  Her  skin  was  unusually  fine  and  delicate,  and  with  the 
exception  of  fifty-seven  hairs  growing  upon  her  neck  and  a  single 
mole  upon  right  side  of  chin,  there  was  no  tendency  to  an  ab- 
normal growth  of  hair  upon  face  or  other  portion  of  body. 

"  This  patient's  skin  seemed  unusually  sensitive,  and  as  an  ex- 
ception to  the  rule  she  complained  of  the  pain  produced  by  the 
operation.  Small  wheals,  like  inosquito-bites,  were  produced  at 
the  points  where  the  needle  was  inserted. 

"These  fifty-seven  hairs  were  removed  in  November,  1S81. 
Two  months  later  she  wrote  nie  in  accordance  with  my  request, 
and  stated  that  the  red  marks  caused  by  the  needle  still  lingered, 
'  but  so  surely  did  the  instrument  do  its  work  that  the  objectiona- 
ble hairs  seem  to  be  permanently  eradicated,  not  one  having  re- 
appeared.    The  mole  on  the  chin  has  entirely  gone.'  " 

MISCELLANEOUS   DISEASES   TREATED    BY   ELEC- 
TRICITY. 


As  examples  of  the  great  utility  of  electricity  in  the  treatment 
of  many  stubborn  diseases,  we  reprint  the  following  observations 
from  the  experience  of  Romaine  J.  Curtis,  M.  D.,  of  Jolliet, 
111.,  and  published  in  the  Peoria  Medical  Monthly^  for  June, 
1882: 

Skin  Diseases — Chromophytosis. — Mr.    ,    aged   about 

23,  on  his  travels  got  inoculated  with  the  materies  morbi  of 
chromophytosis.     He  had  carried  the  picture  about  a  year  whea 


72  Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus. 

I  saw  him.  The  disease  completely  covered  the  anterior  half  of 
the  trunk,  and  there  were  patches  of  it  on  his  back.  He  was 
directed  to  use  a  solution  of  chloral,  an  ointment  of  zinc,  and  to 
bathe  twice  a  day  with  use  of  green  soap,  thoroughly  washing 
away  the  loosened  cuticle.  This  treatment  was  of  no  avail,  and 
afterwards  chrysophanic  acid  and  mercurial  preparations  were 
used.  Various  other  medicines  were  prescribed,  and  he  contin- 
ued medication  for  about  four  months  locally,  and  I  gave  him" 
cod's  oil  and  Fowler's  solution.  The  disease  would  clear  up  in 
places  at  times,  or  its  products  with  cuticle  be  washed  off  by  aid 
of  green  soap,  and  the  surface  of  patches  look  clear  for  a  time, 
but  would  soon  be  covered  by  a  fresh  plant.  During  part  of 
this  time  he  wore  a  special  covering  for  the  diseased  surface, 
using  a  new  one  every  day,  my  opinion  being  that  the  cloth- 
ing presei*ved  the  germs  of  the  disease  with  obvious  results. 

I  began  to  use  galvanism  in  this  case  as  a  sort  of  dernier  res- 
sort,  and  because  I  did  not  know  what  else  to  do.  The  applica- 
tions were  made  daily,  a  large  sponge  being  applied  to  the  dis- 
eased surface  and  the  positive  pole  at  different  places  on  the 
healthy  skin.  The  disease  began  to  disappear  immediately.  The 
skin  along  the  median  line  became  healthy  first  and  extended 
outwards  until  the  disease  disappeared. 

Herpes — Shingles. — Mr.  ,  aged  48  years,  had  com- 
plained of  heart  disease  (intercostal  neuralgia)  for  several  years. 
Latterly  he  had  an  eruption  of  herpes  zoster,  covenng  the  greater 
portion  of  left  chest.  He  had  taken  iron,  arsenic,  cod's  oil  and 
quinine  with  some  benefit,  and  was  using  a  lotion  of  cologne, 
glycerine  and  lead. 

The  continuous  galvanic  current  was  used  every  other  day  in 
this  case  for  some  time  without  benefit.  I  then  interrupted  the 
current,  using  varieties  of  tension  and  number  of  cells,  but  the 
disease  refused  to  yield  until  the  faradic  current  was  used,  which 
made  short  work  of  his  shingles,  greatly  to  patient's  relief,  for 
he  was  impressed  that  should  the  disease  extend  to  the  right  side 
of  his  spine  his  life  would  soon  terminate. 

Eczema. — Miss  ,  aged    iS  years,  had  eczema,   covering 

left  side  of  nose   and  portion  of  cheek,  of  four  years'    duration. 
She  had  been  through  the  regular  course  of  zinc,  arsenic,  iron, 


Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus.  73 

quinine,  cod's  oil,  etc.,  etc.,  and  had  "tried  Homoeopathy," 
which  was  found  wanting.  No  medicine  was  used  in  the  treat- 
ment of  this  case,  but  the  galvanic  current  effected  a  cure  in 
four  months.  The  poles  were  applied  indifferently,  one  being 
over  the  eruption,  and  the  other  sometimes  behind  the  ear  and 
sometimes  on  the  cervical  spine.  After  each  seance  there  would 
be  for  a  few  hours  some  swelling  and  increased  redness  of  the 
eczematous  skin. 

Acne. — Mr.  ,  aged  20  years,  had  been  disfigured  by  acne 

of  the  face  since  his  fifteenth  year.  He  had  a  long  history  of 
mortification  of  spirit,  sulphur  baths,  zinc  ointment  and  Fow- 
ler's solution.  The  treatment  of  galvanism  was  continued  at 
irregular  intervals  for  six  months.  Each  application  had  the 
effect  of  so  reddening  the  surface  where  the  sponge  was  ap- 
plied to  the  face,  that  the  patient  would  take  his  dose  only 
late  in  the  evening  —  a  sample  of  pride  under  great  difficul- 
ties. He  was  cured,  however,  without  lotion,  ointment  or  medi- 
cine. 

Amaurosis. — R.  M. ,  aged  33  years,  worked  in  the  rail  mills, 
and  was  subject  to  extreme  degrees  of  temperature  during 
the  "  heats."  He  gradually  became  blind — could  see  the  larg- 
est test  type  with  indistinctness  only  at  a  few  inches.  He  had 
naso-pharyngeal  catarrh  and  sequent  vomiting,  steel  scales, 
and  carbonaceous  matter  was  always  present  in  the  nasal  and 
pharyngeal  cavities,  where  they  could  be  seen  by  the  laryngo- 
scope. 

The  patient  was  obliged  to  stop  work,  and  was  treated  for 
his  catai'rh  by  sprays,  and  his  amaurosis  by  galvanism  for  six 
months,  when  he  was  discharged  cured.  The  current  from  five 
or  six  cells  was  generally  used,  and  the  positive  pole  applied 
over  the  eye  and  the  other  over  the  mastoid.  The  current  was 
tempered  by  the  rheostat,  so  that  during  its  passage  faint 
flashes  could  be  seen.  In  this  case  the  retina  of  the  eve  was 
anaemic. 

Amenorrhcea. — Miss ,  aged  36  3'ears,  had  been  a  teacher 

in  public  schools  for  eight  years.  During  past  two  years  she 
had  suspension  of  the  menstrual  function  and  occasional  attacks 
of    asthma.      She    was    plethoric ;    of    good    appearance    physi- 


74  Elfxtricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus. 

cally,  and  complained  of  no  local  pain  or  other  sensory  disturb- 
ance. I  suppose,  in  the  light  of  modern  pathology,  her  dis- 
ease would  be  called  neurasthenia,  of  some  set  of  motor  or 
gland  nerves.  She  declined  a  pelvic  examination,  and  I  recom- 
mended galvanism  for  the  amenorrhoea.  The  current  was 
passed  from  the  lumbar  region  through  to  ovaries.  The  seances 
were  held  twice  a  week,  and  during  the  sixth  week  of  treatment 
the  menses  were  restored,  which  had  the  effect  of  stopping  the 
asthma. 

Lead  Poisoning. — Mrs.  ,   aged  33,  married  four  years, 

no  children  ;  was  a  fashionable  person  of  most  intense  jDcrsonal 
vanity.  She  was  a  perfect  specimen  of  neurasthenia ;  the  an- 
tecedents and  sequences  of  this  disease  wei^e  all  there.  She 
was  even  subject  to  hay  fever.  She  had  uterine  disease,  and 
had  been  subject  to  the  silver  treatment  for  a  year  or  two  by 
an  eminent  gynecologist  of  Buffalo.  She  had  "wrist  drop," 
which  was  very  noticeable  when  I  made  my  first  visit,  and 
I  suspected  the  cause  of  her  abdominal  pains ;  which  suspi- 
cion was  confirmed  by  an  inquiry  in  this  direction  and  the 
exhibition  by  her  husband  of  her  large  collection  of  hair 
washes  and  cosmetics,  all  of  which  contained  lead.  The  patient 
had  been  bed-ridden  for  several  months.  Her  cosmetics  were 
disposed  of;  iodide  of  potash  was  given,  and  general  farad- 
ism  employed  daily  for  a  month,  when  she  recovered  from 
her  neurasthenia,  and  resumed  her  social  standing  without  the 
aid  of  lead. 

Lumbago. — Mr.  ,  a  carpenter,  strained  his  back  by  work- 
ing on  a  cornice,  and  was  placed  liors  de  combat  by  pain  in  his 
back  when  he  attempted  to  move.  His  appearance  and  move- 
ments were  such  as  are  always  exhibited  by  the  lame  back.  He 
came  to  the  office  three  times,  and  a  current  of  sixty  cells  was 
passed  through  the  painful  part,  about  fifteen  minutes  each  time. 
The  relief  was  marked  at  each  dose  of  the  remedy  and  the  cure 
prompt. 

Mr.   ,    aged    about  40  yeai's,    a   rheumatic  subject,  was 

brought  to  my  office  and  carried  in  groaning  from  pain,  which 
was  referred  to  the  lumbar  region.  This  case  illustrated  the 
exception  which  proves  all  rules.     I  applied  the  galvanic  current. 


Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus.  75 

with  very  large  quantity,  with  greatly  lessened  intensity,  fully  ex- 
pecting to  stop  his  pain  and  groaning  in  a  few  minutes.  To  my 
surprise  he  complained  of  an  increase  of  the  pain,  and  in  a  few 
minutes  fainted.  When  he  recovered  he  refused  to  allow  further 
galvanization  and  would  not  take  medicine.  He  was  taken  home 
and  a  physician  sent  for,  who  gave  him  morphia,  and  sympathized 
with  him  by  remarking  that  "  electricity  was  a  humbug  anyhow" 
—an  opinion  to  which  the  patient  gave  his  free  assent,  and  I  sup- 
pose they  are  both  of  the  same  opinion  still,  and  that  each  of 
them  knows  as  much  about  it  as  both,  and  both  of  them  as  much 
as  either. 

Rheumatism. — Mr.    ,    aged   about   30  years,    a    laborer, 

native  of  England,  had  muscular  rheumatism  of  the  right  leg. 
The  muscles  were  tender,  swollen  and  paretic,  and  he  went  and 
came  on  crutches.  There  was  no  evidence  of  venereal  disease. 
The  patient  had  a  gouty  ancesti"y,  and  the  exciting  cause  of  his 
own  disease  was  working  in  a  wet  ditch.  He  had  suffered  from 
this  disorder  for  sevei'al  months,  had  taken  several  inedicines,  and 
received  some  benefit  from  iodide  and  colchicum.  He  was  sent  to 
me  by  a  physician  who  was  somewhat  undecided  about  the  hum- 
bug of  electricity,  and  was  disposed  to  investigate.  The  patient's 
foot  and  leg  and  the  negative  pole  were  put  into  a  vessel  of  warm 
water,  the  positive  pole  being  applied  to  the  leg  higher  up.  This 
treatment  was  continued  daily  for  two  weeks,  when  patient  was 
discharged  cured. 

Indurations. — Mr.  ,  aged  about  60  years,  had  acute  rheu- 
matism, which  lasted  two  months.  He  was  treated  by  salicylate 
of  soda,  which  failed,  as  he  could  not  take  it  without  insanity, 
and  he  was  brought  through  by  the  alkaline  treatment.  On  sub- 
sidence of  the  acute  symptoms  the  tendons  of  various  muscles 
in  upper  and  lower  extremities  were  subject  to  indurations,  which 
showed  no  disposition  to  absorb.  He  was  given  iodide  and  col- 
chicum without  much  benefit,  the  enlargement  of  the  hamstring 
tendons  and  tendons  of  ankle  joints  and  wrists  being  thick  and 
painful.  He  remained  without  much  improvement  for  two  months, 
when  he  was  brought  daily  to  the  office  for  galvanic  treatment. 
The  different  indurations  were  treated  separately  by  passing  the 
galvanic   current  through  them.      The  treatment  was   continued 


ij6  Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus. 

daily  and  every  third  day  for  three  months,  when  the  indura- 
tions of  the  tendons  were  absorbed  and  the  normal  functions 
restored. 

Mr.  ,  aged  37  years,  a  merchant,  sprained  his  ankle  se- 
verely, which  injury  was  followed  by  an  induration  of  the  tendo 
Achilles.  The  tendon  in  lower  half  of  its  length  was  more  than 
double  its  natural  thickness.  This  deformity  was  treated  every 
other  day  for  a  month  with  the  negative  pole  attached  to  a  roller 
electrode,  thus  combining  the  electrolytic  effects  with  massage,  a 
very  convenient  and  efficient  method.  The  tendon  was  restored 
to  its  morphological  and  physiological  integrity. 

N^EVi  Materni. — Miss ,  aged  13,   had  a  port   wine  mark 

on  her  left  cheek  about  the  size  of  a  dime.  The  natural  beauty 
of  the  anatomical  deformity  was  somewhat  deteriorated  by  sev- 
eral applications  of  some  sort  of  caustic,  which  had,  however, 
not  removed  it.  Three  fine  needles  were  inserted  through  the 
nsevus,  carrying  the  negative  pole,  and  the  positive  was  placed 
near  by  on  the  sound  skin.  The  current  from  the  cells  was  used 
ahout  five  minutes.  In  a  week  the  operation  was  repeated,  and 
the  ncevus  disappeared. 

Miss ,  aged  16,  had  a  prominent,  raised,   purple  najvus  on 

the  left  cheek ;  a  physician  had  attempted  its  removal  with  a  fara- 
dic  machine,  and  afterwards  applied  caustic,  and  then  suggested 
cutting  it  out.  In  this  case  four  electrolytic  apjDlications  of 
galvanism  were  used,  which  removed  the  mark. 

Mrs.  ,  by  some  slip  of  the   embryonic  tissues,  had   a  spot 

on  her  left  upper  lip  about  half  an  inch  in  diameter,  from  which 
sprang  a  vigorous  growth  of  hair.  I  undertook  to  destroy  the 
hair  follicles  in  this  case,  and  succeeded  after  the  following 
inethod  :  A  small  needle  (negative  pole)  was  pushed  into  the  fol- 
licle beside  the  hair  and  held  in  position  about  five  minutes, 
the  lady  holding  the  other  electrode  in  her  hand.  Five  or  six 
hairs  were  thus  abused  at  each  seance  until  the  whole  crop  was 
removed.  This  is  an  operation  which  is  tedious  and  very  use- 
less, unless  there  is  considerable  beauty  behind  the  unnatural 
growth.  It  is,  however,  a  very  satisfactory  operation  for  the 
patient. 

Local  Atr  JPHV. — Mr.  received    an   injury   to  the   shoul- 


Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus.  77 

der  in  a  railroad  accident.  There  was  nothing  of  dislocation 
or  fracture,  but  the  injury  was  followed  by  ati'ophy  of  the  del- 
toid muscle.  There  was  no  antecedent  paralysis;  but  the  muscle, 
what  ^vas  left  of  it,  would  contract  by  volitional  stimulus,  though 
there  was  not  force  enough  to  raise  the  arm  from  the  body  to  a 
level  with  tlie  shoulder.  The  faradic  current  was  used  in  this 
case  witli  the  roller  electrode  for  three  months,  the  applications 
being  made  two  or  three  times  a  week,  when  tlie  muscle  was  re- 
stored in  form  and  function. 

Mr.  ,  about  a  year  before  I  saw  him,  was  thrown  from  his 

horse,  striking  on  the  back  of  his  right  shoulder.  The  arm  was 
useless  for  several  months  from  pain  and  paresis.  On  exami- 
nation the  spine  of  the  scapula  was  his  most  prominent  morpho- 
logical feature,  by  reason  of  the  atrophy  of  the  inuscles  above 
and  below.  Electricity,  faradic  and  interrupted  galvanic, 
with  massage,  were  used  for  this  deformity  for  a  year  with  the 
result  of  making  restoration,  which,  though  not  complete,  was 
serviceable. 

Mr.  ,  aged  23  years,    had   typhoid   fever,   the  duration  of 

which  was  six  weeks.  During  convalescence  he  over-fed  and 
was  relapsed  for  nearly  two  months.  He  finally  recovered  from 
this  illness,  and  rapidly  gained  his  average  weight  of  170  pounds; 
but  three  months  afterwards  his  gait  was  ataxic,  for  the  reason 
that  he  had  lost  sensation  of  his  legs  and  feet.  There  were  no 
pains  in  legs,  nor  other  evidence  of  tabes,  except  diminished  sen- 
sation. The  faradic  current  was  used  in  this  case,  and  fully  re- 
stored the  sensation  of  legs  in  a  month's  time.  The  applications 
were  made  daily  by  placing  the  feet  in  a  bath  containing  one 
pole,  while  the  other  was  applied  on  the  extremities  above — to 
the  spine  or  held  in  the  hands. 

THE  WRONG  CURRENT. 


From  the  proceedings  of  the  New  York  Medical  Society,  and 
published  in  the  Medical  Record^  we  glean  the  following  im- 
portant items,  which  entirely  agreed  with  our  own  observations. 

Dr.  Rockwell  thought  that  the  mistake  could  be  best  pointed 
out  by  repoi'ting  a  few  illustrative  cases,  from  a  score  or  more 
that  might  be  narrated  : 


78  Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus. 

Mrs.  — ,  an  opera  singer  thirty  years  of  age,  was  sent  to  him 
by  Dr.  J.  B.  Read.  Several  months  before,  while  singing  in 
public,  she  was  suddenly  attacked  with  left /acza/ paralysis.  The 
eye  refused  to  close  ;  she  subsequently  suffered  from  severe  ceph- 
alagia  and  marked  vertigo.  The  physician  to  whom  the  patient 
first  applied  prescribed  electricity,  used  it  a  few  times,  and  then 
directed  her  to  buy  a  small  faradic  apparatus,  and  apply  the  cur- 
rent along  the  course  of  the  affected  nerve.  This  was  done 
faithfully  for  many  weeks,  but  with  negative  results.  On  exain- 
ination,  no  response,  as  might  have  been  expected,  could  be  ob- 
tained by  the  use  of  the  faradic  current.  Galvanism,  however, 
at  once  produced  faint  contractiojis,  and  three  weeks  after  the 
proper  treatment  was  begun,  farado-muscular  contractility  re- 
turned, and  recovery  to  a  good  extent  had  taken  place. 

Case  II. — A  boy,  four  years  of  age,  suffered  from  cerebro- 
spinal meningitis,  which  was  followed  by  complete  paralysis  oj 
the  right  leg.-  The  patient  was  sent  to  Dr.  Rockwell  by  Dr. 
Chauveau.  Before  Dr.  Chauveau  saw  him  a  physician  had  re- 
commended the  faradic  current,  and  it  had  been  used  faithfully, 
but  without  benefit.  On  examination  there  was  no  response  to 
faradism,  and  only  slight  reaction  to  galvanism.  Under  the  sys- 
tematic use  of  the  galvanic  current,  however,  improvement  be- 
gan, and  farado-muscular  contractility  was  finally  restored.  The 
improvement  in  the  power  of  locomotion  was  coincident  with 
that  of  the  electro-muscular  contractility.  Dr.  Rockwell 
thought  there  could  be  no  doubt  that  in  both  these  cases  the  fail- 
ure to  correctly  differentiate  in  the  selection  of  the  method  of 
treatment  not  only  interfered  with  the  rapidity  of  recovery,  but 
in  one  instance,  at  least,  might  be  the  cause  of  some  permanent 
disability. 

Electrical  Conditions  of  the  Muscles  in  Facial  Paral- 
ysis.— In  facial  paralysis  the  farado-muscular  contractility  is  ei- 
ther normal  or  decreased,  but  the  galvano-muscular  contractility 
may  in  addition,  in  certain  cases,  be  increased^  while  the  reac- 
tion to  the  faradic  current  in  the  same  cases  is  either  wanting  or 
very  much  diminished.  In  these  cases  the  galvanic  current  must 
be  used  with  increasing  strength,  at  each  sitting,  in  order  to  keep 
up  the  vigor  of  the  muscular  contractions  when  galvano-muscu- 


Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus.  79 

lar  contractility  is  reduced  to  normal,  or  sometimes  before  farado- 
muscular  contractility  becomes  manifest,  and  a  rapid  recovery 
usually  follows. 

Dr.  E.  C.  Seguin  said,  with  'regard  to  the  use  of  the  actual 
cautery^  that  his  experience  was  veiy  much  in  accord  with  that 
given  by  Dr.  Rockwell,  Occasionally  remarkable  results  were 
obtained  from  one  or  two  applications.  He  had  found  it  very 
sei"viceable  in  exceedingly  painful  cases,  as  well  as  those  of  the 
character  described. 

"With  regard  to  the  simplicity  and  painlessness  of  the  applica- 
tion, he  entirely  agreed  with  Dr.  R.  Sometimes  considerable 
argument  was  necessary  to  induce  a  patient  to  submit  ♦^o  the  first 
ai^plication,  but  he  had  not  had  any  ti^ouble  whatever  concerning 
the  second  operation  ;  indeed  most  patients  returned  of  their  own 
accord  and  asked  for  the  use  of  the  cautery.  The  question  of 
the  utility  of  the  tivo  elcctj-ic  currents  he  regarded  as  a  very  im- 
portant one.  But  he  thought  it  possible  that  in  one  of  Dr.  Rock- 
well's cases  at  least,  if  it  had  been  left  to  nature,  the  patient 
might  have  recovered  withoiit  electricity.  It  was  probably  a 
case  of  jDaralysis  from  lesion  of  the  nerve,  whether  from  super- 
ficial pressure  or  from  reflex  action  upon  the  nucleus  of  the  nerve 
was  uncertain,  but  there  were  good  reasons,  from  clinical  history 
and  from  electrical  reactions,  to  assimilate  it  with  cases  of  ordin- 
ary nerve  injury.  In  such  cases  he  thought  there  was  a  fatality 
in  the  degeneration  and  regeneration  of  the  nerve,  and  he  doubted 
very  much  whether  measures  commonly  used  had  greatly  to  do 
with  recovery.  The  process  of  regeneration  is  much  slower  than 
that  of  degeneration,  but  it  takes  place  with  a  great  deal  of  cer- 
tainty, and  in  a  majority  of  cases  of  facial  paralysis  the  recovery 
was  through  the  process  of  repair  of  the  nen^e,  and  the  conse- 
quent repair  of  the  muscular  tissue.  He  agreed  entirely  with 
Dr.  Rockwell  that  the  faradic  current  was  next  to  useless  for 
several  weeks  or  months,  and  he  also  doubted  whether  galvanic 
applications  had  much  to  do  Avith  recovery.  The  changes  in  the 
electrical  and  nutritive  state  of  the  muscular  fibres  produced  bv 
the  application  might  do  something  toward  keeping  up  the  nu- 
trition of  the  muscle,  and  presen'c  it  in  a  condition  fit  for  action 
when  the  nerve  had  improved.  He  did  not,  however,  believe 
that  electrical  currents  could  hasten  cell  <rrowths. 


8o  Electricity  axd  Electrical  Apparatus. 

The  inutility  of  the  faradic  current  in  facial  paralysis  was  a 
point  worth  directing  attention  to,  and  undoubtedly  ignorance 
with  reference  to  it  had  many  times  brought  discredit  upon  the 
profession. 

Dr.  Janeway  said  he  had  long  believed  that  the  gi'eat  value  of 
the  galvanic  current  in  facial  paralysis  was  two-fold. 

In  the  first  place,  it  gave  a  means  of  making  a  prognosis 
with  regard  to  the  probable  time  required  for  recovery.  If  the 
faradic  reaction  was  destroyed  and  the  galvanic  presented,  the 
great  probabilities  were  that  it  would  require  more  than  two 
inonths  for  recovery  to  occur,  probably  from  three  to  six  months. 

In  the  second  place,  it  was  valuable  in  keeping  up  the  nutri- 
tion of  the  muscles.  The  faradic  current  he  regarded  as  totally 
useless  in  these  cases,  to  say  the  least.  Dr.  Janeway  then  re- 
feiTed  to  a  case  of  facial  pai-alysis  of  the  peripheral  type,  due 
to  exposure  to  cold  and  occurring  in  a  child  eight  months  old. 

With  reference  to  the  actual  cautery,  he  had  to  admit  the  same 
doubt  that  Dr.  Seguin  had  expressed  concerning  the  utility  of 
the  galvanic  current.  He  was  sometimes  in  great  doubt  as  to 
whether  the  good  results  were  due  to  the  mental  effect  or  to  the 
actual  influence  of  the  cautery.  It  was  very  frequently  difficult 
to  separate  effects  produced  by  an  agent  itself  from  those  pro- 
duced by  the  imagination. 

In  connection  with  the  sequelae  of  cerebro-spinal  meningitis 
he  had  used,  with  benefit,  the  actual  cautery  along  the  side  of 
the  spine,  ni  addition  to  blistering  in  the  upper  cei'vical  and  oc- 
cipital region. 

Dr.  Rockwell  said  he  was  very  nearly  in  accord  with  the  views 
expressed  by  Dr.  Janeway  and  Dr.  Seguin  concerning  the  use  of 
the  two  electric  currents  in  the  peripheral  form  of  facial  paraly- 
sis. The  aid  afforded  to  nutrition  by  the  use  of  the  galvanic  cur- 
rent was  very  important.  His  chief  object  in  reporting  the  cases 
was  to  direct  attention  to  the  necessity  of  correctly  differentiating 
between  the  two  currents. 

Dr.  Putzel  referred  to  a  case  in  which  the  faradic  current  used 
in  facial  paralysis  produced  actual  har.m.  The  paralysis  was  due 
to  exposure  to  cold,  and  the  degenerative  reaction  was  well 
marked.  The  result  was  twitchings,  followed  by  contracture, 
which  was  persistent. 


Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus.  8i 

Dr.  Seguin  wished  to  put  upon  record  his  experience  with  ref- 
erence to  an  undescribed  sequel  of  facial  paralysis  due  to  cold, 
namely,  a  condition  of  marked  twitchings  corresponding  pre- 
cisely with  post-hemiplcgic  chorea.  Within  the  last  eight  years 
he  had  seen  four  or  five  recovered  cases  of  facial  paralysis  in 
which,  during  the  period  of  actual  recovery,  there  occuiTed 
clonic  twitchings,  short,  lightning-like  jerks  of  muscles  formerly 
paralyzed  ;  and  this  phenomenon  occurred  without  mislaid  treat- 
ment or  contracture. 

Dr.  Putzel  thought  there  was  a  difference  between  this  condi- 
tion and  post-hemiphlegic  chorea,  because  in  the  latter  there  was 
a  slow  movement  of  one  muscular  fiber  after  another,  while  in 
these  cases  the  muscle  twitches  as  a  whole    and    then    subsides. 

Dr.  Seguin  remarked  that  the  point  brought  out  by  Dr.  Putzel 
was  an  interesting  one.  He  had  shown  to  his  class  a  graded  se- 
ries of  cases  in  which  there  were  post-paralytic  movements,  and 
had  been  able  to  show  two  or  three  varieties  in  a  single  lecture. 
He  had  classified  the  cases  into  (i)  those  in  which  atheboid 
movements  occurred,  (2)  those  in  which  the  movements  were 
more  marked,  nnd  (3)  the  ataxic  cases.  The  shading  off  from 
one  condition  to  the  other  is  sometimes  exceedingly  delicate. 

Dr.  Roberts,  as  illustrating  how  widespread  the  opinion  was 
that  the  differentiating  of  the  two  currents  was  not  a  matter  of 
much  practical  importance,  said  that  not  long  since  he  heard  a 
college  professor  explain  to  his  class  the  feasibility  of  treating 
all  cases  with  an  ordinary  faradic  battery. 

Dr.  Biidsall  referred  to  two  cases  of  facial  paralysis  of  peri- 
pheral origin,  in  which  there  were  contracture  after  a  number  of 
months  and  muscular  movements  of  the  quick  variety.  He 
had  used  the  galvanic  current  in  facial  paralysis  with  the  result 
of  giving  the  patient  relief  from  the  feelingof  tension. 

ELECTRO-DIAGNOSIS. 


On  pages  34,  35  and  37,  electricity  is  referred  to  as  a  means 
of  diagnosis.  In  our  practice,  this  agent  is  utilized  as  an  aid  in 
diagnosing  conditions  of  hyper£esthesia  ;  in  anaesthesia;   in  paral- 


82  Electriciiy  and  Electrical  Apparatus. 

ytic  affections ;   in  detecting   and  exposing  malingerers  ;   and  for 
deciding  whether  a  person  is  really  dead  or  only  apparently  so. 

As  in  the  use  of  electricity  under  every  other  circumstance,  in 
order  to  use  it  with  profit  in  diagnosis,  we  must  know  its  usual 
effects  when  applied  to  different  parts  of  the  body  in  health. 
Being  familiar  with  the  sensitiveness  of  certain  parts  of  the 
body  to  the  electric  current,  and  the  comparative  insensibility  of 
other  parts,  we  are  qualified  to  employ  this  agent  for  the  pur- 
poses named.  For  testing  the  condition  of  sensation  we  gener- 
ally resort  to  the  faradic  current,  but  in  some  cases  the  galvanic 
current  is  employed.  Let  a  patient  hold  the  electrode  attached 
to  the  positive  pole  of  a  faradic  machine  in  one  of  his  hands, 
while  we  place  the  electrode  of  the  negative  pole  upon  a  certain 
part  of  his  body  and  observe  the  result.  Is  the  sensation,  as  ex- 
perienced by  the  patient,  painful,  and  the  part  more  sensitive 
than  common,  or  is  the  sensibility  lessened  ?  Do  the  muscles 
contract  as  they  usually  do  when  we  apply  the  faradic  current, 
or  is  the  part  in  a  comparatively  passive  condition.''  After  we 
have  satisfied  ourselves  upon  these  points,  we  remove  the  nega- 
tive electrode,  and  immediately  place  it  upon  a  corresponding 
part  of  the  body  and  compare  the  results.  It  is  plainly  seen  that 
we  may,  by  this  simple  procedure,  learn  something  about  the 
condition  of  parts  and  organs.  In  applying  the  faradic  current 
for  testing  the  condition  of  sensation,  we  should  always  keep  in 
mind  the  fact  that  certain  parts  of  the  body  are  exceedingly  sen- 
sitive to  electricity,  while  strong  currents  are  tolerated  by  other 
parts  without  complaint.  The  top,  front  and  sides  of  the  head 
are  very  sensitive  ;  and  the  eye  and  ear  also.  The  hands  are 
more  sensitive  than  the  feet.  But  corresponding  parts  should 
exhibit  no  disparity. 

In  any  examination,  if  we  find  that  the  usual  feeling  of  ting- 
ling or  numbness  resulting  from  the  faradic  current  in  health  is 
very  much  diminished,  or  is  entirely  absent  upon  the  applica- 
tion of  the  negative  pole  of  a  faradic  machine,  we  know  that 
anaesthesia,  analgesia,  loss  of  sense  of  pam,  paralysis  of  sensa- 
tion exists ;  whether  temporary  or  permanent  is  to  be  deter- 
mined. On  the  other  hand,  if  we  find  the  part  unusually  sensi- 
tive, the  current  producing  uncommonly  painful  sensations,  we 


Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus.  83 

know  that  hyperesthesia  exists,  and  that  a  certain  course  of 
treatment,  quite  different  from  that  to  be  pursued  in  the  case 
of  anaesthesia,  must  be  adopted.  Acute  affections,  whether  of 
nerves,  nerve  centres,  or  other  tissues,  are  distinguished  from 
chronic  diseases  by  the  abnormal  sensitiveness  of  the  parts  to 
the  faradic  current.  If  we  apply  the  negative  pole  of  a  faradic 
machine  over  the  region  of  the  liver  in  acute  hepatitis,  the 
patient  complains  greatly  of  pain,  and  says  the  current  is  too 
strong.  On  the  other  hand,  if  we  apply  the  same  current  over 
the  region  of  an  enlarged  liver  or  spleen  resulting  from  re- 
peated attacks  of  malarial  fever,  we  find  that  the  patient  can 
tolerate  all  the  power  of  our  battery,  and  complain  of  nothing 
except  a  slight  pricking  sensation  on  the  surface. 

Again,  it  is  a  well  attested  fact  that  if  the  positive  pole  of  a 
galvanic  (not  faradic)  battery  is  placed  on  the  upper  and  back  part 
of  the  head,  and  the  negative  pole  is  held  in  the  hand  of  the  sub- 
ject or  placed  over  his  stomach, a  distinct  metallic  taste  is  perceived 
by  him  ;  this  results  in  conditions  of  health.  Now,  if  a  patient 
observes  this  metallic  taste  when  the  positive  pole  of  a  galvanic 
battery  is  being  passed  along  the  spine  anywhere,  the  negative 
remote  from  the  head,  it  is  evidence  of  an  irritable  condition  of 
that  portion  of  the  cord,  for  it  is  not  usual  for  this  taste  to  be 
perceived  in  health,  except  when  one  pole  is  applied  to  the  head. 

Another  important  point:  If,  while  a  patient  has  hold  of  one 
of  the  poles  of  a  galvanic  battery,  we  rapidly  apply  and  remove 
the  electrode  attached  to  the  other  pole  of  the  battery  to  the 
forehead,  just  above  the  eye,  the  patient  will  see  distinct  flashes 
of  light.  Now  it  sometimes  happens  that  considerable  disparity 
in  the  eyes  exists,  regarding  these  flashes  of  light,  or  the  flashes 
are  exceedingly  vivid,  even  unpleasant  to  the  patient  when  the 
mildest  current  is  used.  In  other  cases  strong  currents  are  re- 
quired to  enable  the  patient  to  observe  these  flashes,  and  in 
some  cases  they  cannot  be  seen,  no  matter  if  we  use  a  current 
as  strong  as  the  patient  can  otherwise  bear.  In  each  of  these 
cases  we  are  materially  aided  in  making  out  a  diagnosis.  And 
the  tests  are  so  simple  that  anybody  can  make  them  ;  only  a 
little  care  is  required  that  the  currents  may  not  be  too  strong 
when  used  about  the  head  and  face.     Quite  a  strong  current  can 


84  Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus. 

be  applied  to  the  spine  below  the  cervical  vertebra,  but  if  tender 
spots  are  traversed,  the  patient  will  know  it.  In  some  cases  of 
spinal  irritation,  and  locomotor  ataxia,  not  only  does  the  patient 
perceive  a  metallic  taste  in  the  mouth  while  one  pole  is  held  in 
the  hand  and  the  other  applied  to  the  spine,  but  he  sees  distinct 
flashes  of  light,  just  as  though  one  of  the  poles  was  being  ap- 
plied about  the  forehead.  These  are  not  only  profitable  experi- 
inents,  but  they  are  exceedingly  entertaining  to  those  who  are  in- 
terested in  the  careful  study  of  disease,  its  manifestations  and 
treatment. 

One  of  the  most  important  points  decided  by  electricity  in 
diagnosis  is  that  relating  to  central  and  peripheral  paralysis. 
This  is  beautifully  illustrated  in  many  cases,  bvit  we  meet  with 
more  examples  in  cases  of  facial  paralysis  than  in  any  other 
form.  Where  the  disease  is  central,  oi'iginating  within  the  cra- 
nium or  at  the  root  of  the  nerve  at  the  spinal  cord,  the  fara- 
dic  current,  when  applied  to  the  paralyzed  parts,  produces  the 
usual  muscular  contractions  observed  in  health.  But  if  the  im- 
pairment or  injury  is  located  somewhere  along  the  trunk  of  the 
nerve,  outside  of  the  cranium  or  remote  from  the  cord,  or  in  that 
part  of  the  nerve  passmg  through  the  bone,  then  the  faradic  cur- 
rent will  not  excite  muscular  contraction,  while  the  galvanic 
current,  applied  in  the  same  manner,  will  produce  muscular  con- 
traction even  more  violent  in  some  cases  than  occurs  in  health. 
This  is  an  important  item  for  this  reason  :  Where  we  know  a 
paralysis  is  of  peripheral  origin,  the  prospect  of  cure  is  more 
flattering;  whereas  if  we  are  certain  the  disease  is  within  the 
cranium  or  in  the  cord,  we  are  apprehensive  at  least,  if  we  have 
any  hope  at  all.  These  hints  will  enable  anybody  to  make 
satisfactory  tests  in  many  cases,  and,  if  carefully  conducted, 
these  examinations  may  lead  to  correct  principles  and  proper 
plans  of  treatment.. 

MALINGERERS.— HOW  TO  DETECT  THEM. 


It  occasionally  happens  that  we  are  called  upon  to  testify 
whether  a  man  is  really  sick  or  is  merelv  pretending  for  fraud- 
ulent purposes.     Where  a  patient  claims  to  be  suffering  from 


Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus.  85 

paralysis  of  a  limb^  or  any  part  of  the  body,  we  may  resort  to 
electrization,  and  if  corresponding  parts  show  a  marked  dispar- 
ity in  contractility,  it  is  fair  to  suspect  that  the  patient  is  correct 
and  honest.  If,  on  the  other  hand,  he  cannot  resist  the  natural 
effects  of  the  electric  currents,  and  we  can  discover  no  diminu- 
tion or  exaltation  in  the  muscular  contractility,  then  we  may 
suspicion  deception.  Dr.  Julius  Althaus,  in  his  great  work  on 
Electricity,  details  an  exceedingly  interesting  case,  and  in  this 
connection  we  give  the  quotation  in  full : 

"  In  November,  iSj^i,  I  was  consulted  by  the  secretary  of  a 
woi'king-men's  benefit  society  with  i"egard  to  the  case  of  one  of 
the  society's  members,  who  professed  to  have  lost  the  use  of  his 
left  arm  in  consequence  of  an  accident  which  he  had  had 
three  years  previously.  According  to  the  society's  rules,  the 
sum  of  100/.  IS  paid  to  members  who  are  permanently  incapa- 
citated for  work  by  disease  or  accident.  The  patient  had  had 
a  fall  from  a  considerable  height,  and  asserted  that  ever  since  he 
had  been  unable  to  use  his  arm.  He  had  been  admitted  into  a 
provincial  hospital,  where  he  remained  for  three  months,  and 
where  (to  use  his  own  words)  '  the  surgeon  tried  as  hard  as  he 
could  to  cure  him,'  but  failed.  In  course  of  time  the  man,  who 
was  known  not  to  have  done  any  work  since  the  occurrence  of 
the  accident,  applied  to  his  society  for  the  100/.  owing  to  him  ; 
and  I  was  then  requested  to  give  an  opinion  whether  the  patient 
was  permanently  or  only  temporarily  disabled. 

"The  claimant  was  a  tall,  powerful  man  of  determined  counte- 
nance, and  evidently  considerable  force  of  will.  He  professed  to 
be  unable  to  undress  himself,  and  had  therefore  to  be  assisted 
when  the  helpless  limb  was  bared  for  examination.  I  found 
that  the  temperature  and  the  bulk  of  the  left  arm  were  in  all  its 
parts  quite  equal  to  those  of  the  right.  The  limb  was  held  in  full 
extension,  and  drawn  to  the  body,  while  the  fingers  were  some- 
what tightly  flexed.  On  endeavoring  to  flex  the  fore- arm  and  to 
supinate  t-he  hand,  considerable  resistance  was  encountered  ;  and, 
when  additional  force  was  used  for  effecting  this  purpose,  the 
patient  called  out  with  j^ain,  and  said  he  could  not  bear  the  mani- 
pulation. 

"Seeing  this  condition  of  the  limb,  only  three  pathological  con- 
ditions could  be  suspected,  viz.,  paralysis  with  contraction,  anky- 
losis, or  dislocation  —  provided  alwavs  that  the  patient  was 
sincere.  In  peripheral  paralysis,  owing  to  injury  of  the  motor 
nerves  of  the  part — which  is  the  only  form  of  paralysis  that 
could  be  thought  of  in  this  case  —  there  is  rarely  any  great 
amount  of   contraction,  since   the  paralyzed  limbs  are    mostly 


86  Electricity  and  Electricai,  Apparatus. 

found  flabby;  and  if  the  case  be  of  long  standing,  the  muscles 
ai'c  wasted,  and  the  temperature  is  considerably  diminished.  But 
as  these  clinical  signs,  although  of  value,  are  yet  not  invariably 
present,  I  employed  a  test  which  gives  absolutely  decisive 
results  in  such  cases,  and  enables  us  at  a  glance  to  decide  the 
presence  or  absence  of  peripheral  paralysis — viz.,  faradisation. 
It  has  been  shown  by  the  concurrent  testimony  of  all  recent 
observers  w^ho  have  investigated  this  subject,  that,  in  peripheral 
paralysis  caused  by  injury  to  the  motor  nerves,  the  muscles  ani- 
mated by  those  nerves  lose  their  Jaradic  excitability,  while  their 
galvanic  excitability  may  be  preserved,  or,  under  certain  circum- 
stances even  increased.  If,  therefore,  in  the  pi'esent  case,  the 
deltoid,  triceps,  biceps,  and  the  other  muscles  of  the  useless 
limb,  could  be  made  to  respond  by  contraction  to  the  faradic 
current,  it  would  be  rendered  evident  that  there  was  no  paralysis 
owing  to  injury  of  the  brachial  plexus  or  any  of  its  branches. 

"On  using  faradisation,  I  found  that  all  the  muscles  of  the  arm 
and  hand  responded  readily  to  the  current  by  contraction  of 
their  fibres  ;  yet,  curiously  enough,  the  arm  of  the  patient  did  not 
execute  those  movements  which  are  generally  produced  by  such 
an  application.  .Something  evidently  resisted  the  displacement 
of  the  bones;  and  when  I  looked  at  the  powerful  determination 
visibly  expressed  in  every  feature  of  the  patient's  face,  his  hard 
stare,  his  contracted  brow  and  lips,  I  could  not  help  feeling  sus- 
picious that  this  something  might  be  the  patient's  own  volition. 
The  influence  of  faradisation  being  irresistible,  if  a  sufficiently 
strong  current  be  used,  I  increased  the  power  with  which  I 
acted,  in  order  to  overcome  any  possible  resistance  on  the  part 
of  the  patient;  but  the  latter  called  out  so  lustily,  saying  that  he 
could  not  bear  the  pain,  that  I  was  obliged  to  desist.  Enough, 
however,  had  been  ascertained  for  enabling  me  to  eliminate  one 
of  the  three  pathological  conditions  which  could  give  rise  to  the 
complaint  of  the  patient. 

"I  now  informed  the  secretary  that,  although  I  was  satisfied 
myself  that  there  was  no  paralysis,  yet  it  was  impossible  for  me 
to  give  a  certificate  concerning  the  exact  nature  of  the  affection 
from  which  the  patient  suffered,  unless  he  were  previously  placed 
under  the  influence  of  an  anaesthetic.  All  parties  having  con- 
sented that  this  should  be  done,  I  procured  the  assistance  of  Mr. 
Clover,  who  on  the  following  day  administered  nitrous  oxide  gas 
to  the  patient.  The  latter  was  rapidly  rendered  insensible  ;  and 
I  could  now  freely  move  the  arm  in  all  directions,  there  being 
neither  dislocation  nor  ankylosis.  As  soon  as  this  was  ascer- 
tained the  influence  of  the  anaesthetic  was  withdravs^n  ;  and  the 
patient,  who  recovered  himself  in  a  few  moments,  was  informed 
that  his  case  was  not  nearly  so  bad  as  he  had  imagined,  and  that 


Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus.  87 

he  would  certainly  recover  the  use  of  the  arm  under  proper 
treatment.  I  gave  a  certificate  to  the  effect  that  the  patient 
suffered  from  a  painful  affection  of  the  shoulder-joint,  which 
would  yield  rapidly  to  a  subcutaneous  injection  of  morphia  or  a 
judicious  use  of  galvanism  ;  and  that  there  was  neither  paralysis, 
nor  dislocation,  nor  ankylosis,  seriously  to  interfere  with  the  use 
of  the  extremity.     The  claim  was  therefore  not  allowed." 

Ordinary  faradic  machines  and  galvanic  batteries  may  be  used 
for  these  purposes,  and  a  mere  novice  can  apply  them.  The 
observations  should  be  carefully  made,  however,  and  the  tests 
should  be  thorough. 


TESTING  FOR  LIFE  OR  DEATH  WITH  ELECTRICITY. 


An  estimable  widow  lad}',  of  this  city,  lost  her  only  son.  He 
died  from  cerebro-spinal  meningitis,  after  a  few  hours'  sickness. 
He  died  so  suddenly,  and  looked  so  natural  and  life-like  after  he  was 
laid  out,  that  bis  mother  could  not  believe  her  only  son  was  dead. 
The  attending  physician  was  ready  to  certify  to  his  death,  and  the 
undertaker  felt  quite  sure  that  life  was  extinct.  All  this  did  not 
satisfy  the  mother,  and  she  demanded  that  the  most  critical  test 
should  be  made,  that  she  might  be  satisfied  her  son  was  really 
dead  before  she  buried  him.  The  very  thought  of  laying  him 
away  with  doubts  in  her  mind,  thinking  may  be  he  might 
be  buried  alive,  when  only  apparently  dead,  nearly  dis- 
tracted her.  A  thorough  electrical  test  established  the  con- 
dition of  death  to  a  certainty.  Now,  this  was  a  case  very  simi- 
lar to  others  that  anybody  may  see,  and  we  should  always  be 
ready  to  give  such  people  satisfaction,  if  possible.  And  it  has 
occasionally  happened  that  people  have  been  buried  alive. 
They  might  have  lived  for  years  had  they  been  left  alone  or 
properly  cared  for.  Knowing  these  things  to  be  so,  it  is  not  to  be 
wondered  at  that  tests  for  life  and  death  are  sometimes  de- 
manded. The  following  quotations  from  Althaus  may  serve  to 
add  something  to  the  interest  of  this  subject: 

"  Rachel,  the  celebrated  French  actress,  had  been  eleven  hours 
in  her  coffin  when  she  awoke  from  her  trance,  and  lived  for  some 
hours  afterwards.  Dr.  Josat  states  that  in  France  about  thirty 
or  forty  people  are  annually  buried  alive.     On   February   27, 


SS  Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus. 

iS66,  a  debate  on  the  subject  took  place  in  the  French  senate. 
M.  de  la  Gueronniere  said  that,  to  his  knowledge,  when  graves 
had  been  removed  in  old  burial-places,  '  skeletons  had  been 
found  in  their  coffins  in  all  sorts  of  positions.  Their  limbs,  hor- 
ribly distoi-ted,  betrayed  the  last  revolt  of  life,  the  agony  of  a 
terrible  situation,  of  which  the  living  had  heard  neither  a  cry  nor 
even  the  last  sigh!'  Cardinal  Donnet  narrated  that  he  had 
saved  two  people  from  being  buried  alive,  and  that  such  an  ac- 
cident very  nearly  occurred  to  himself: 

'  In  1836,  a  young  priest,  while  standing  in  the  pulpit,  sud- 
denly fell  down,  and  w^as  pronounced  to  be  dead  by  the  doctor 
who  examined  him.  He  heard  the  funeral  chant,  the  Dc  Pro- 
fujzdis^  recited  at  his  bedside,  and  all  preparations  for  his  bui"ial, 
without  being  able  to  move  or  to  pronounce  a  single  word.  A 
providential  accident  allowed  him  to  come  out  of  his  trance  in 
time.  To-day,  having  become  the  Cardinal  Donnet,  he  requests 
the  powers  that  be  not  only  to  take  care  that  the  legal  forms 
concerning  burials  should  be  strictly  observed,  but  also  to  intro- 
duce new  tests  in  order  to  prevent  irreparable  disaster.'  " 

''  Rosenthal  has  recorded  an  interesting  case  of  ti^ance  in  a 
hysterical  woman,  in  which  a  country  practitioner  had  declared 
death  to  have  ensued,  as  a  looking-glass  held  to  the  mouth  did 
not  show  any  moisture,  and  melted  sealing-wax  dropped  on  the 
skin  caused  no  reflex  movements.  Rosenthal,  who  was  acci- 
dentally present,  found  the  skin  pale  and  cold,  the  pupils  con- 
tracted and  insensible  to  light,  the  upper  and  lower  extremities 
relaxed,  the  heart's  impulse  and  the  radial  pulse  imperceptible. 
Auscultation,  however,  showed  a  feeble,  dull,  and  intermittent 
sound  in  the  cardiac  region.  No  respiratory  murmurs  were 
audible.  All  the  muscles  of  the  face  and  extremities  responded 
well  to  the  faradic  current.  Although  the  patient  had  been  ap- 
parently dead  for  thirty-two  hours,  he  thereupon  informed  the 
relations  that  it  was  only  a  trance,  and  recommended  that  at- 
tempts at  resuscitation  should  be  perseveringly  followed.  On 
the  following  day  he  received  a  telegram  to  sav  that  the  patient 
awoke  spontaneously  twelve  hours  afterwards,  and  gradually  re- 
covered her  speech  and  movements.  Four  months  afterwards 
the  patient  called  upon  him,  and  informed  him  that  she  knew 
nothing  of  the  commencement  of  her  attack  of  lethargy ;  that 
she  had  afterwards  heard  the  people  about  her  talk  of  her,  but 
had  been  utterly  unable  to  give  the  slightest  sign  of  life.  Two 
years  afterwards,  she  was  still  alive  and  tolerably  well.  Rosen- 
thal appro{/riafely  likens  this  condition  to  that  of  '  nightmai'e,' 
where,  in  spite  of  distressing  sensations,  the  dreamer  is  unable 
to  call  for  help  or  to  make  any  movements  which  might  save  him 
from  some  imaginary  impending  danger." 


Electricity  and  Electricaj.  Apparatus.  89 

There  is  no  sign  of  death,  in  doubtful  cases,  so  decisive  as 
the  faradization  test.  It  indicates  life  or  death  with  absolute 
certainty.  The  application  of  electricity  in  these  tests  is  called 
"  Electro-bioscopy."  Any  ordinary  faradic  apparatus  is  suffi- 
cient for  this  purpose.     Gaiffe's  pocket  instrument  is  very  good. 

The  facts  regarding  the  application  of  faradization  in  these 
tests  are  so  well  recorded  by  Crimotel  and  Rosenthal  that  we 
quote  their  observations  verbatim  : 

"  I.  Death  is  certain  when  the  muscles  have  entirely  lost 
their  faradic  contractility;  on  the  contrary,  life  is  probably  ex- 
tant when  this  property  is  preserved  in  its  "full  integritv.  A  per- 
ceptible dnninution  of  it  is  a  sign  that  life  has  ceased  a  short 
time  ago.  In  newly  born  infants  Crimotel  found  the  contractility 
to  continue  from  fifteen  to  sixty  minutes  after  the  heart  had  ceased 
to  beat,  but  it  was  diminishing  progressivelv  all  that  time.  In 
children  and  adults  the  contractility  persists  longer  than  in  in- 
fants, and  the  length  of  its  post-mortem  continuance  varies  ac- 
cording to  the  nature  of  the  disease  and  the  kind  of  death  ;  but 
it  never  continues  as  long  as  three  hours  after  death.  In  some 
cases  of  cholera  it  was  found  to  be  entirely  gone  half  an  hour 
after  life  had  become  extinct;  the  same  was  observed  after  more 
or  less  prolonged  diseases  which  had  gradually  exhausted  the 
vital  forces,  sucn  ,is  phthisis,  typhoid  fever,  etc.  In  all  cases, 
however,  in  which  th^.  faradic  contractility  has  been  unimpaired 
up  to  the  la-t  moment  of  life,  it  was  seen  to  become  perceptibly 
modified  soon  after  the  heart  had  ceased  to  beat.  The  most 
powerful  current  did  then  no  longer  produce  those  strong  move- 
ments of  flexion  and  extension  which  were  caused  .^.uring  life ; 
on  the  contrary,  the  movements  were  limited,  the  contractions 
enfeebled,  and  at  last  only  slight  vibrations  could  be  observed 
which  were  in  their  turn  followed  by  complete  absence  of  a^iy 
response  whatever. 

"3.  No  disease,  nor  any  kind  of  asphyxia  or  poisoning,  will 
during  life  abolish  the  faradic  contractility  in  all  the  muscles  of 
the  body.  Majendie  and  Rover  have  shown  that  in  dogs, 
poisoned  by  carbonic  acid  and  sulpheretted  hydrogen,  the  con- 
tractility persisted  for  some  time  after  death.  Claude  Bernard 
has  found  the  same  to  be  the  case  with  woorali,  strychnia,  and 
other  poisons.  It  is  true  that  in  certain  forms  of  paralysis 
faradic  contractility  may  be  lost,  but  such  forms  of  paralysis 
never  affect  all  the  muscles  of  the  body.  In  muscular  atrophy, 
with  or  without  fatty  degeneration,  farado-puncture  would  pro- 
duce contractions,  and  the  diaphragm  would  respond  to  faradi- 
sation of  the  phrenic  nerve. 


go  Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus. 

"3.  A  notable  diminution  of  faradic  contractility  in  the  whole 
muscular  system  is  a  sign  of  death.  In  apparent  death,  on  the 
contrary,  it  is  sometimes  augmented.  If  in  about  twenty  minutes 
after  the  occurrence  of  apparent  death  no  diminution  occurs, 
life  is  probably  still  extant. 

"4.  '  Electro-bioscopy '  should  be  recommended  in  all  doubt- 
ful cases,  and  anyhow  where  the  relations  of  the  deceased  should 
desire  it  to  be  employed  ;  it  being  a  radical  means  for  preventing 
premature  interment. 

"  5«  '  The  faradic  test  becomes  indispensable  in  the  drowned, 
the  asphyxiated,  etc.,  and  should  be  impei^atively  required  of 
those  practitioneis  who  have  to  certify  in  cases  of  sudden 
death.  When  there  are  several  victims — as  from  shipwreck, 
railway  accidents,  etc. — it  would  have  the  additional  advantage 
of  enabling  the  attendants  to  distinguish  at  once  the  dead  from 
the  living.  The  doctors  would  therefore  be  in  a  position  not  to 
lose  precious  time  with  the  dead,  but  might  concentrate  their  at- 
tention on  those  who  would  still  be  benefited  by  it. 

In  newly-born  infants,  again,  who  do  not  give  signs  of  life, 
'  electro-bioscopy  '  would  be  of  the  utmost  value. 

"  6.  The  faradic  test  will  allow  the  practitioner  to  certify,  if  a 
remainder  of  contractility  be  still  discovered,  that  death  has 
taken  place  within  three  hours  of  the  observation. 

"  7-  When  several  persons  have  perished  by  the  same  accident, 
the  test  may  permit,  in  certain  cases,  to  decide  in  whicli  order 
they  have  ceased  to  live. 

"8.  In  the  hands  of  the  practitioner  the  test  becomes  at  the 
same  time  one  of  the  most  powerful,  prompt  and  effective 
means  for  resuscitating  persons  who  have  apparently  ceased  to 
live. 

Finally,  it  may  allow  the  authorities  to  accelerate  the  burial 
of  the  dead,  or  any  operation  to  be  performed  with  deceased 
persons;  such  as  embalming,  post-mortem  examination,  etc., 
in  case  it  should  be  inconvenient  to  wait  for  the  ordinary  delay." 

"  Rosenthal  found  that  the  post-mortem  electric  excitability 
disappears  more  rapidly  after  death  from  chronic  than  from 
acute  disease ;  that  it  remains  longer  in  well-nourished  than  in 
wasted  bodies,  and  that  it  is  generally  extinguished  in  from 
ninety  minutes  to  three  hours.  In  one  case,  when  all  trace  of 
excitability,  even  to  galvano-  and  farado-  puncture  by  a  most 
powerful  current,  had  disappeared,  the  temperature  in  the  rec- 
tum was  still  99*4",  and  the  joints  were  still  quite  flexible;  yet 
death  could  be  diagnosed  with  absolute  certainty.  In  ampu- 
tated limbs  he  found  faradic  as  well  as  galvanic  excitability  well 
preserved  during  the  first  hour  after  the  operation  ;  ninety  minutes 
afterwards  only  electro-puncture  could  show  traces  of  it,  and  in 


Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus.  oi 

two  hours  after  no  response  whatever  took  place.  In  a  case  of 
drowning,  a  feeble  faradic  current  produced  good  contractions 
within  the  first  hour;  after  that  it  was  necessary  to  increase  the 
power  of  the  current  in  order  to  cause  contractions  of  the  same 
strength  as  before.  In  two  and  a  half  hours,  only  the  orbiculares 
of  the  eye  and  the  mouth,  and  the  flexors  of  the  fore-arm, 
answered  to  the  maximum  power  of  the  apparatus.  In  three 
hours  and  a  quarter  electric  excitability  had  everywhere  vanished. 
Rigor  mortis  only  appeared  after  five  hours  in  the  hand,  and 
after  six  hours  in  the  elbow." 

These  are  interesting  observations,  and  .the  principles  and 
tests  are  so  simple  that  any  country  physician  should  be  able 
and  ready  to  put  them  into  practice.  All  that  is  necessary  is  to 
apply  the  poles  of  the  battery  to  different  parts  of  the  body,  as 
already  suggested  in  the  cases  quoted  from  Althaus,  and  as  re- 
corded by  Crimotel  and  Rosenthal.  Where  small  faradic  instru- 
ments are  not  regarded  as  sufficient,  the  larger  machines  may 
be  brought  into  service. 


ELECTRICITY  m  ASPHYXIA. 


In  cases  where  chlorotorm  has  been  given  to  excess,  or  where 
the  effects  have  been  unexpectedly  depressing,  and  death  is  threat- 
ened ;  where  an  overdose  of  opium  or  morphine  has  been  taken,  or 
given  by  mistake  ;  and  in  all  cases  of  suspended  animation,  from 
the  effects  of  cold,  fright  or  drowning,  electricity,  in  some  form, 
is  one  of  the  best  measures  to  which  we  can  resort.  In  most  cases 
a  powerful  faradic  current  should  be  used.  The  positive  pole 
should  be  placed  upon  the  neck,  over  the  phrenic  nerve,  and  the 
negative  over  the  diaphragm,  which  corresponds  in  position  with 
the  seventh  intercostal  space.  The  positive  electrode  upon  the  neck 
should  be  gently  moved  up  and  down  over  the  cervical  vertebra, 
and  the  negative  pole  should  be  moved  quite  frequently,  from 
one  side  to  the  other,  over  the  region  of  the  diaphragm.  The 
faradization  should  be  continued  in  persistent  cases  for  hours, 
until  the  face  reddens,  the  pulse  becomes  perceptible  at  the  wrist, 
and  the  patient  breathes.  As  long  as  there  is  any  response,  or 
while  muscular  contraction  can  be  produced  in  any  part  of  the 
body  by  the  faradic  current,  there  is  hope.     It  is  astonishing  how 


92 


Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus. 


promptly  some  patients  are  revived  by  this  method,  and  nobody 
engaged  in  the  practice  of  medicine  slioidd  neglect  to  be  pro- 
vided vvitli  the  necessary  apparatus  for  this  mode  of  treatment, 
for  many  lives  may  be  saved  by  it.  Even  where  electricity  alone 
might  be  insut^cient,  it  may  revive  the  patient  temporarily,  and 
thus  afford  opportunity  for  administering  appropriate  stimulants 
by  the  mouth.  This  has  been  the  result  in  numerous  cases  re- 
corded in  our  exchanges,  and  it  should  be  well  remembered. 

Some  interesting  cases  are  reported  by  Althaus  which  we  here 
detail,  because  they  are  interesting  and  instructive  : 

"A  servant-girl,  aged  27,  was  found  in  her  bed  early  one 
morning^  asphyxiated  by  charcoal-fumes.  Counter-irritation  of 
the  skin  proved  unavailing  in  inducing  respiration  ;  and  when 
Zieinssen  was  called  in,  the  pulse  and  respiration  were  almost 
nnperceptible :  the  skin  was  getting  pale,  the  temperature  of  the 
extremities  low,  and  the  rales  in  the  trachea  more  marked.  The 
phrenic  nerves  were  now  rhythmically  faradised,  when  the  chest 
was  seen  to  expand,  the  girl  began  to  cough,  the  cheeks  showed 
a  faint  flush,  and  the  extremities  became  warmer.  Faradisation 
was  continued,  with  short  interruptions,  for  two  hours,  when 
respiration  was  fairly  re-established.  Eleven  hours  afterwards 
respiration  was  regular^  and  the  patient  was  quite  well  the  next 
day. 

"Friedberg  has  been  equally  successful  in  a  case  of  asphyxia 
in  a  boy  aged  4,  who  was  placed  under  the  influence  of  chloro- 
form in  order  to  have  a  cyst  of  the  eyelid  removed.  After  a  few 
inhalations  the  pulse  suddenly  became  small,  the  face  livid,  the 
eye  glassy,  the  limbs  relaxed ;  one  short  rale  was  heard,  after 
which  respiration  ceased.  Cold  water  was  rapidly  thrown  on  the 
face  and  chest,  ammonia  held  under  the  nose,  and  the  larynx 
tickled  with  a  sponge.  After  this  had  been  done  for  two  or  three 
minutes,  the  pulse  became  imperceptible,  the  complexion  pale, 
the  lower  jaw  dropped,  the  expression  of  the  face  was  cadaveric, 
and  the  pupils  dilated.  Artificial  respiration  by  methodical  com- 
pression of  the  abdomen  was  then  resorted  to  for  three  minutes, 
but  likewise  without  anv  result.  Dr.  Friedberg  now  faradised 
the  diaphragm  bv  putting  one  electrode  to  the  phrenic  on  the 
neck,  and  the  other  into  the  seventh  intercostal  space,  for  one 
second  at  a  time.  After  ten  such  applications,  the  first  inspiration 
took  place  ;  faradisation  was  then  discontinued,  and  a  second  and 
third  inspiration  were  seen.  After  the  third,  the  radial  pulse 
re-appeared,  and  further  methodical  compression  of  the  abdomen 
was  now  sufficient  for  re-establishing  respiration  and  the  heart's 
action.     In  twenty  minutes  the  child  had  fairly  recovered.     The 


Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus. 


93 


operation  was  then  performed,  and  the  little  patient  slept  for  an 
hour;  after  which  he  appeared  perfectly  well,  and  no  further 
effect  of  the  chloroform  was  noticed. 

"Ziemssen  has  used  faradisation  of  the  phrenic  nerves  in  four 
other  cases  successfully ;  the  asphyxia  being  due  to  poisoning 
with  carburetted  hydrogen  gas,  charcoal-fumes,  and  to  freezing 
after  alcoholic  intoxication.  In  five  other  cases  which  came 
under  the  care  of  the  same  observer,  the  proceeding  failed  to  do 
good.  Oppenheimer  has  been  unsuccessful  in  a  case  of  opium- 
poisoning,  although  he  continued  faradisation  for  three  hours. 
Mosler  and  Moller  have  likewise  published  unsuccessful  cases. 
Pernice  has  used  faradisation  in  five  cases  of  apparent  death  in 
newly-born  infants;  in  two  of  these  the  result  was  ttil,  while  in 
three  life  was  restored. 

"Dr.  Hardie,  of  Manchester,  has  restored  life  in  two  similar 
cases  by  faradisation  of  the  phrenic  nerve.  One  was  that  of  a 
boy  aged  lo,  who  was  operated  upon  for  a  cyst  on  the  shoulder- 
blade,  and  who  during  the  operation  suddenly  ceased  to  breathe, 
nor  could  the  pulse  be  felt.  He  had  a  livid  appearance,  which 
soon  passed  off  into  pallor.  Cold  affusion  and  artificial  respira- 
tion having  been  tried  and  failed,  the  aspect  of  the  patient 
seemed  very  hopeless.  Faradisation  of  the  phrenic  was  now 
practiced  by  Dr.  Gumpert,  upon  which  slight  and  very  super- 
ficial respiration  occurred,  and  the  heart's  movements  became 
visibk.  In  three-quarters  of  an  hour  the  child  was  out  of 
danger. 

"In  another  case,  that  of  a  woman  aged  43,  who  was  operated 
upon  for  secondary  cancerous  deposit  in  the  axillary  glands,  Dr. 
Hardie  was  dissecting  out  the  glands  when  the  ^respiratory 
movements  ceased  without  previous  stertor  or  other  warning; 
the  patient's  face  assumed  a  death-like  pallor  with  slight  lividity  ; 
the  eyes  were  staring  and  the  pupils  widely  dilated ;  the  pulse 
immediately  afterwards  became  imperceptible.  The  tongue  was 
at  once  drawn  out,  but  without  response  on  the  side  of  the  res- 
piration. The  electrodes  of  a  volta-faradic  apparatus  w^ere 
applied  to  the  root  of  the  neck  over  the  phrenic  nerves  (cold 
affusion  and  a  few  acts  of  compression  of  the  chest  having  in  the 
meantime  failed  to  induce  respiration).  For  a  time  the%  was 
no  response,  and  the  patient's  condition  seemed  hopeless.  At 
length,  however,  a  short. gasp  came,  then  others,  which  soon 
became  deeper  and  regular ;  the  pulse  became  perceptible,  the 
color _  returned  to  the  face,  and  the  pupils  contracted.  Dr. 
Hardie  considers  that  the  boy  was  dead  three  minutes,  and  the 
woman  one ;  and  he  recommends  every  practitioner  to  make  a 
faradic  apparatus  the  invariable  companion  of  his  chloroform 
bottle. 


94  Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus. 

"Mr.  Green,  of  Bristol,  has  recorded  seven  cases  of  syncope 
from  chloroform,  of  which  two  died  and  five  recovered.  In  these 
latter  magneto-faradism  was  instantly  applied  on  the  appear- 
ance of  danger,  one  electrode  being  directed  to  the  neck,  and  the 
other  over  the  lower  ribs  at  the  left  sitle.  The  same  treatment 
was  used  in  the  two  fatal  cases,  but  in  the  first  of  them  other 
means  were  tried  first,  and  some  time  had  elapsed  before  the 
current  was  employed;  in  the  second  case,  however,  it  was  used 
at  once  and  failed.  In  the  latter  case  such  extensive  fatty  de- 
generation of  the  heart  was  discovered,  that  '  when  its  action 
had  once  ceased,  no  artificial  stimulus  could  have  restored  it.' 
Galvanism  (Mr.  Green  says)  will  excite  muscle  to  contract, 
but  cannot  impart  motion  to  '  rows  of  fat.'  In  the  five  latter 
cases  which  recovered,  the  stoppage  of  all  motion  in  the  heart 
and  lungs  was  so  complete,  and  the  restoration  so  instantaneous, 
that  no  doubt  could  remain  as  to  the  value  of  the  agent  em- 
ployed. 

"The  same  surgeon  justly  lays  stress  upon  the  importance  of 
having  a  faracHc  apparatus  at  hand,  ready  to  act  immediately 
when  required,  as  in  many  cases  where  death  ensued,  much 
time  was  lost  by  first  using  other  means,  then  sending  for  the 
apparatus,  adjusting  and  employing  it.  Seconds  or  minutes 
may  make  all  the  difference  between  life  and  death.  Mr.  Green, 
therefore,  has  for  many  years  not  ventured  to  operate  under 
chloroform,  either  at  the  infirmary  or  in  private  practice,  without 
having  the  faradic  apparatus  ready  for  instant  use  ;  and  expresses 
the  opinion  that  chloroform  should  never  be  administered  without 
the  same  precaution  being  taken.  He  believes  that  in  his  cases 
he  had  caused  the  faradic  current  to  act  directly  upon  the  heart ; 
but  it  is  evident  from  his  description  that  he  acted  upon  the 
diaphragm,  and  thereby  caused  artificial  respiration. 

"Mr.  Frichard,  of  Bristol,  has  described  the  case  of  '  a  cou- 
rageous and  energetic  old  lady,'  who  was  to  undergo  removal  of 
the  breast  for  cancer,  who  took  leave  of  her  husband — '  a  poor 
feeble-minded  old  clergyman  ' — in  the  dining-room,  and  walked 
up  to  her  bedroom  for  the  operation.  During  the  operation, 
which  was  more  than  usually  difficult,  in  consequence  of  adhe- 
sions to  the  fascia  and  muscle,  she  suddenly  ceased  to  breathe, 
and  instantly  became  quite  pulseless.  Recourse  was  had  at  once 
to  the  battery,  and  in  a  short  time  she  gasped,  and  afterwards 
breathed  again.  Her  state  appeared  to  be  one  of  excessive  and 
almost  fatal  faintness,  and  the  effects  of  faradisation  were  marked. 
The  operation  was  completed,  and  she  did  well. 

"Another  case  under  the  care  of  the  same  surgeon  was  that  of 
a  man,  aged  74,  suffering  from  a  large  strangulated  scrotal  hernia. 
After  trying  taxis,   chloroform   was   given,   and  more   attempts 


Electr[city  and  Electrical  Apparatus.  95 

made  to  reduce  the  mass,  when  attention  was  suddenly  called 
to  the  state  of  the  patient,  whose  pulse  had  ceased  while  the 
house-surgeon  had  his  finger  on  the  wrist,  and  all  respiratory 
movements  stopped  at  the  same  time.  The  old  man  appeared 
to  be  dead  for  half  a  minute  ;  but  the  battery  being  at  hand,  the 
electrodes  were  applied  to  his  epigasti'um  and  the  back  of  his 
neck',  and  he  immediately  started  into  life  and  struggled  to  sit  up. 
The  hernia  \vas  reduced. 

"Two  years  and  a  half  after  this  occurrence,  he  was  again  ad- 
mitted with  symptoms  of  acute  strangulation.  After  trying  the 
usual  means,  it  was  determined  to  operate  ;  and  the  old  man  fell 
again  into  a  death-like  syncope  at  the  first  inhalation  of  chloro- 
form. He  was  aroused  by  faradism  in  the  same  way,  but  died 
three  days  afterwards  of  sphacelus  of  the  scrotum  and  integu- 
ments around. 

"In  Opucm-poiso7iing  t\i.e  same  treatment  has  done  good  sei-vice. 
Dr.  Lucas,  of  Brecknock,  has  used  it  in  the  case  of  a  girl  aged 
II,  who  had  swallowed  an  ounce  and  a  half  of  laudanum,  sent  to 
her  in  mistake  for  a  black  draught.  She  soon  became  very 
drowsy,  and  in  spite  of  the  use  of  the  stomach-pump,  walking 
about,  and  sinapisms  to  the  feet  and  legs,  became  comatose,  so 
that  seven  hours  after  taking  the  poison  she  could  no  longer  be 
roused  by  shaking  or  loud  speaking;  the  lower  jaw  dropped, 
breathing  was  stertorous,  respiration  6,  pulse  100.  Faradisation 
of  the  upper  cervical  region,  and  over  the  epigastrium,  chest,  and 
face,  however,  now  aroused  her,  so  that  she  was  able  to  swallow 
a  grain  of  Ext.  Bellad.  dissolved  in  a  teaspoonful  of  water.  This 
was  repeated  at  intervals,  so  that  she  had  five  applications  of 
faradism,  and  16  grains  of  Ext.  Bellad.  in  four  hours,  when  she 
appeared  out  of  danger.  She  made  a  good  recovery.  Probably 
much  good  was  done  in  this  case  by  the  belladonna ;  but  without 
faradisation  the  patient  could  not  have  been  roused  to  swallow 
anything.  (It  is  true  that  the  belladonna  might  have  been  intro- 
duced by  the  rectum  or  by  the  skin.) 

"Ziemssen  recommends  to  faradise  in  these  cases  not  only  the 
phrenic  nerves,  but  also  the  motor  nerves  of  those  muscles  which 
act  in  combination  with  the  diaphragm  ;  that  is,  the  branches 
which  proceed  from  the  cervical  plexus  to  the  trapezius,  levator 
scapulcE,  and  scalenus  medius  muscles ;  the  nervous  thoracicus 
anterior,  which  animates  the  pectoralis  major  and  minor;  and  the 
nervus  thoracicus  posterior  and  lateralis,  which  proceed  from 
the  brachial  plexus  to  the  scalenus  medius,  serratus  anticus,  and 
the  rhomboidei.  The  electrodes  should  be  placed  there  for 
about  two  seconds  at  the  time,  in  older  to  produce  a  deep  inspi- 
ration ;  after  which  expiration  is  affected  by  an  assistant  pressing 
the  abdomenal  paritcs  from  below  upwards.      It  has  been  pro- 


96  Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus. 

posed  to  promote  expiration  by  faradisation  of  the  abdominal 
muscles,  but  Ziem&sen  is  not  in  favor  of  this  proceeding,  because 
he  thinks  it  impossible  to  produce  such  a  powerful  compression 
of  the  contents  of  the  abdomen  by  faradisation  as  may  be  effected 
by  mechanical  pressui'e  on  the  parietes,  and  by  pushing  the  dia- 
phragm upwards.  The  current  should  be  powerful  and  rapidly- 
interrupted.  If  after  the  first  few  times  no  effect  is  produced, 
the  intensity  of  tlie  current  must  be  further  increased,  as  other- 
wise the  excitability  of  the  respiratory  nerves  might  completely 
vanish. 

"Onimus  and  Legros  think  the  continuous  current  preferable 
to  faradisation.  Tbey  have  experimented  on  rats,  mice,  rabbits, 
and  dogs,  with  ether,  chloroform,  and  nitrous  oxide  gas;  and 
have  found  that  after  respiration  had  ceased,  and  the  animals  had 
been  apparently  dead  for  two  or  three  minutes,  a  continuous  cur- 
rent applied  to  the  digestive  tract  restored  them  to  life.  They 
recommend  to  place  the  cathode  into  the  mouth,  and  the  anode 
into  the  rectum,  and  to  apply  the  current  continuatively,  until 
respiration  and  the  heart's  action  are  quite  re-established.  A 
current  of  twenty  cells  would,  according  to  them,  be  suflScient 
for  man.  Faradisation  will,  however,  in  most  cases  be  prefera- 
ble, because  it  is  easier  to  use,  and  when  used  at  once,  almost 
invariably  seems  to  answer." 

This  we  regard  as  sufficient  to  excite  an  interest  in  this  depart- 
ment of  electro-therapeutics,  and  any  ordinarily  intelligent  physi- 
cian can  apply  these  methods  without  further  instructions. 

GALVANO-CAUTERY  AND  GALVANO-CAUSTIC 
BATTERIES. 


On  pages  16  and  17,  Piffard's  Galvano-Cautery  is  described 
and  illustrated,  and  its  management,  a  full  explanation  of  its  ap- 
plication and  uses,  pi-omised. 

In  the  use  of  any  galvanic  cauteiy,  it  shoukLbe  understood 
that  no  current  of  electricity  is  applied  to  the  part  operated  upon, 
or  to  any  other  part  of  the  body.  The  current  is  simply  utilized 
to  heat  the  instrument  used  in  the  cautery  operation — wire,  knife 
or  other  instrument.  And  the  heat  thus  produced  is  not  unlike 
heat  from  ordinary  sources.  The  advantages  of  this  method  of 
heating  cautery  instruments  are,  the  more  perfect  control  of  the 
operator  over  the  degree  of  heat  required,  and  the  continuation 
of  the  proper  temperature  for  an  indefinite  time.     And  galvano- 


Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus.  97 

cautery  instruments  may  be  so  constructed  as  to  he  readily  ap- 
plied to  limited  parts  of  the  hody  not  easily  reached  by  ordinary 
cauteries. 

The  conducting  cords  leading  from  the  positive  and  negative 
poles  of  the  galvano-cautery  battery,  which  are  made  of  a  num- 
ber of  small  copper  wires,  pass  through  a  holder  or  insulated 
handle,  and  are  then  connected  by  an  intei-vening  loop  of  plati- 
num wire,  or  a  loop-shaped  instrument  made  of  platinum,  fast- 
ened to  the  wires  with  pure  gold  solder.  Thus  it  is  seen  that 
when  this  battery  is  in  operation  a  complete  circuit  is  formed. 
The  current  passes  from  the  battery  through  the  conducting 
wire  leading  from  the  positive  pole,  to  the  point  where  it  is  at- 
tached to  the  loop  of  platinum  wire  or  loop-shaped  platinum 
instrument,  then  through  this  and  the  copper  wire  attached  to 
the  negative  pole  back  to  the  battery. 

The  great  resistance  offered  by  the  intervening  platinum  wire, 
or  instrument,  results  in  the  evolution  of  intense  heat.  Platinum 
wires  or  instruments  may  be  heated  by  this  method  to  a  red  or 
white  heat ;  or  they  may  be  melted,  even  fused,  but  such  a 
deo-ree  of  heat  must  be  carefully  avoided,  for  this  would  result  in 
destruction  of  the  instrument  and  a  postponement  of  operations. 
Incandescence,  or  a  degree  approaching  a  white  heat,  is  suf- 
ficient. 

Regarding  the  use  of  the  galvano-cautery,  we  may  appropriate 
it  wherever  we  desire  to  cauterize  or  destroy  a  part ;  and  for 
the  purpose  of  removing  tumors  and  excising  malignant  growths. 
For  the  convenince  of  operators,  and  to  meet  the  requirements 
of  different  cases,  a  variety  of  burners,  handles,  knives,  wire 
loops,  etc.,  all  made  of  platinum,  have  been  invented,  some  of 
which  are  shown  on  page  17.  All  that  is  necessary  in  galvano- 
cautery  operations  is  to  get  the  battery  in  good  order,  full  direc- 
tions for  which  accompany  each  style  or  form  of  instrument, 
then  select  the  burner,  knife  or  wire  loop  that  appears  to  be  best 
adapted  to  the  case  in  hand,  attach  it  to  the  battery,  ansesthetize 
the  patient,  fix  the  burner  properly  upon  the  part  to  be  destroyed 
or  excised,  put  the  batter)^  in  operation  and  close  the  current. 
When  the  operating  instrument  reaches  a  degree  of  heat  ap- 
proaching incandescence,    then  it  may  be    manipulated   as   the 


9S 


El'  ctricity  axd  Electrical  Apparatus. 


case  may  require  ;  if  a  wire  loop,  it  should  be  gradually  con- 
tracted till  it  cuts  and  burns  its  way  through  the  part.  The 
traction  on  the  loop  should  be  slow,  so  that,  as  it  cuts  its  way 
through,  the  whole  surface  of  the  wound  maj  be  thoroughly 
cauterized.  This  lessens  the  risk  of  hemorrhage,  and  the  opera- 
tion is  more  satisfactory  than  if  performed  hastily,  and  bleeding 
is  troublesome.  When  other  forms  of  burners  or  knives  are 
used,  the  same  care  should  be  observed,  and  no  galvano-cautery 
operation  should  be  hastily  performed.  After  an  operation 
with  any  of  these  burners,  the  wound  is  prone  to  heal  kindly, 
and  only  requires  to  be  well  protected,  or  dressed  like  wounds 
after  ordinary  surgical  operations. 

While  Piffard's  battery,  already  referred  to  and  nicely  illus- 
trated, is  regarded  as  an  excellent  instrument  for  galvano-cautery 
operations,  it,  like  Byrne's  battery,  has  its  inconveniences,  and 
we   are   always   looking  for  something  better,  if  we  can  find  it. 

It  is  a  fact,  that  these  batteries 
require  great  care,  and  no  little 
skill  to  handle  them  successful- 
ly. The  exciting  f^uid  is  too 
feeble,  the  zincs  are  not  clean, 
the  connections  are  dirty,  or 
something  is  apt  to  be  out  of 
order,  and  they  must  be  well 
tested  before  we  commence  any 
operation. 

There  is  an  instrument  late- 
ly introduced  that  is  likely  to 
supercede  all  other  galvano- 
cautery  batteries.  It  is  called 
Trouve's  Polyscope.  See  il- 
lustration. Fig.  30. 

In  constructing  the  poly- 
scope, Plante's  cell  is  used  and 
is  called  in  this  instrument  the 

TROUVE'S  POLYSCOPE.         ^^^^'^'^^^J  cell. 

Pi„_30.  To  charge  the  polyscope,  it 

is  connected  with  two  of  Bunsen's  cells,   or  four  of   Daniell's, 


Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus.  99 

which  accompany  the  instrument.  Before  connecting  it,  the 
secondary  cell,  the  cell  of  the  instrument  proper,  is  filled  with 
water  containing  ten  per  cent,  of  sulphuric  acid.  The  in- 
strument thus  prepared,  and  connected  with  the  two  Bunsen  or 
four  Daniell  cells,  is  left  in  action  for  six,  ten  or  twelve  hours. 
In  proportion  to  the  time,  the  secondar}^  cell  will  be  found  to  be 
charged  with  more  or  less  electricity.  The  polarized  current  is 
said  to  be  stoi'ed  up  in  the  secondary  cell,  and  may  be  used  at 
pleasure.  In  order  to  draw  it  off  and  appropriate  it,  it  is  only 
necessary  to  attach  ordinary  galvano-cautery  conducting  wires  to 
C.  D.,  when  the  current  will  flow  continuously  until  the  supply 
stored  up  is  exhausted.  At  the  bottom  of  the  illustration, 
marked  —  and  X,  are  represented  the  wires  for  attaching  the 
Bunsen  or  Daniel  cells  used  for  charging  the  polyscope.  At  the 
top  are  poles  for  attaching  the  conducting  wires,  to  which  the 
burners,  such  as  are  used  with  other  galvano-cautery  batteries, 
are  fastened.  A.  is  a  rheostat,  for  regulating  the  resistance  or 
strength  of  the  cun-ent.     B.  is  a  galvanometer.* 

This  is  certainly  the  most  satisfactory  arrangement  for  a  gal- 
vano-cautery instrument  yet  suggested,  for  it  is  always  in  order, 
and  under  the  complete  control  of  the  operator.  And  it  is  also 
conveniently  used  for  heating  the  wires  of  illuminating  instru- 
ments, a  sample  of  which  is  seen  attached  to  the  polyscope  in 
the  illustration.  Dr.  Wellington  Adams'  electric  laryngoscope 
is  nicely  operated  with  this  instrument. 

STATIC  OR  FRANKLINIC  ELECTRICITY. 


On  page  6  static  or  Franklinic  electricity  is  referred  to,  and 
friction,  cleavage  and  pressure  mentioned  as  means  of  generating 
it.  For  appropriation  in  therapeutics,  static  electricity  in  ample 
quantity  and  of  the  required  intensity  is  more  readily  generated 
by  friction.  As  it  is  generated  it  is  condensed  or  stored  up  in 
Leyden  jars  for  the  time,  and  drawn  off  or  discharged,  as  the 
operator  may  determine,  and  as  may  be  required. 

*For  this  description  and  illustration,  we  are  under  obligation  to  James 
W.  Queen  &  Co.,  of  Phila.,  who  furnish  this  beautiful  instrument  complete 
to  those  who  want  it. 


lOO 


Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus. 


Fig.  31  represents  the  Toepler-Holtz  machine,  as  furnislied 
by  James  W.  Queen  &  Co.,  of  Pliiladelphia.  It  is  one  of  the 
best  instruments  fortlie  generation  of  static  electricity  now  in  use, 
and  for  tlie  application  of  this  form  of  electricity  in  therapeutics  it 
gives  entire  satisfaction.  I  have  this  machine  in  my  office,  and 
it  is  always  ready,  works  well  in  all  kinds  of  weather,  dry  or 
damp,  never  failing.  And  no  glass  case  to  protect  it  from 
dampness,  no  basin  of  sulphuric  acid,  nor  any  drying  substance, 
like  chloride  of  lime,  are  required.  The  machine  is  perfect 
within  itself,  and  is  under  the  perfect  control  of  the  operator. 


Nos.  2,  3  and  4. 

Fig.  31. 

As  here  illustrated,  this  machine  consists  of  two  glass  disks, 
e,  e  ;  some  paper  coatings,  c,  c ;  a  number  of  conductors  made 
in  a  comb  shape,  as  seen  in  the  illustration;  two  Leyden  jars, 
:,  i,  and  two  discharging  rods,  r,  r.  The  glass  disks  and  paper 
coatings  are  well  covered  with  sealing-wax.  When  the  machine 
is  in  operation  one  of  the  glass  disks  revolves  on  its  axis,  while 
the  other  remains  stationary.  The  whole  is  mounted  upon  a 
fine    mahogany   platform,  to  which    is   attached    a   wheel    and 


Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus.  ioi 

crank,  upon  which  we  place  a  round  belt.  The  machine  is  put 
in  motion  by  simply  turning  the  crank  with  the  hand.  An  elec- 
tric motor  or  water  motor  may  be  used  to  operate  the  machine, 
where  turning  the  crank  is  objectionable. 

Some  physicians  incline  to  the  belief  that  larger  machines 
than  this  are  required,  and  that  Toepler-Holtz  machines  with 
several  plates  instead  of  two  should  be  used,  so  as  to  get  addi- 
tional quantity.  While  we  know  that  excellent  results  follow  the 
use  of  this  machine,  and  that  much  smaller  ones  give  good  satis- 
faction in  many  instances,  it  is  possible  that  larger  machines 
might  be  more  efficient  in  certain  cases. 

Accessory  to  the  machine  are,  an  insulating  chair  or  platform, 
a  rod  or  chain  for  connecting  the  machine  with  this  chair  or 
platform,  a  few  electrodes  for  drawing  and  giving  sparks,  and 
two  brass  chains  with  clasps  on  the  ends,  all  to  be  used  as  here- 
after described. 

Regarding  the  use  of  static  electricity,  we  should  have  some 
well-grounded  principles  to  operate  from.  We  have  experi- 
mented with  the  faradic  and  galvanic  currents  to  our  satisfaction, 
and  have  found  them,  each  in  its  time  and  place,  all  that  could 
be  reasonably  expected.  Although  static  electricity  is  reallv  the 
same  force,  it  appears  vmder  a  different  phase,  and  great  differ- 
ences in  indication  for  use  exist,  not  only  in  the  nature  of  the 
electricity  used,  but  in  the  manner  of  using  it.  This  w'e  have 
learned  from  our  experiments  with  faradic  and  galvanic  cur- 
rents. 

Dr.  W.  J.  Morton,  of  New  York,  says  this: 

"  Leaving  behind  us  all  statements  as  to  accepted  actions  of 
different  forms  of  electricity,  and  their  comparative  charac- 
terisitcs,  there  remain  two  views  of  electrical  curative  action 
which  lean  with  great  force  to  the  side  of  statical  electricity, 
and  at  the  same  time  account,  in  a  satisfactory  manner,  for  re- 
sults which  have  been  doubted  because  they  did  not  fit  into  a 
prevalent  theory.  We  may  now  ask  the  special  question,  IV/iy, 
above  and  beyond  other  forms  of  electricity,  docs  statical  elec- 
tricity cure?  I  will  offer  two  explanations,  and  these  are,  «, 
first,  simple  mechanical  disturbance,  followed  by  a  local  altera- 
tion of  nutrition;  and,  b,  secondly,  reflex  action  from  irritation 
of  the  peripheral  distribution  of  nerves. 

"  With  regard  to  the  first,  when  the  electric  discharge,  in  the 


102  Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus. 

form  of  a  spark,  takes  pace  in  a  resisting  medium  like  the  va- 
rious parts  of  the  human  body  wliich  are  submitted  to  it,  a  very 
great  mechanical  disturbance  in  the  tissue  at  the  point  of  dis- 
charge must  inevitably  result.  A  piece  of  paper,  for  instance, 
held  between  the  electrode  and  the  skin  is  perforated  by  the 
spark.  A  parallel  to  the  mechanical  action  referred  to,  though 
in  a  less  localized  and  less  powerful  degree,  is  to  be  found  in 
ordinary  physical  exercise  or  in  massage.  From  this  point  of 
view,  static  electricity  by  the  method  of  sparks  has,  in  a 
special  degree,  owing  to  its  high  tension,  great  advantages. 
The  spark  strikes  a  sharp,  incisive  and  penetrating,  though 
scarcely  painful  blow,  and  often  repeated  in  a  given  region 
creates,  by  simple  disturbance,  a  great  alteration  in  the  nutri- 
tion of  the  part.  This,  at  least,  is  the  only  way  in  which  I  can 
account  for  the  almost  instantaneous  relief  and  cure,  after  a  few 
applications,  of  a  large  class  of  pains  seated  in  deep  and  super- 
ficial fasciae,  and  due  to  sub-acute  and  chronic  rheumatism. 
Neither  blisters,  other  violent  counter-iiritation,  nor  medicine, 
M^ill  dissipate  these  pains,  while,  on  the  other  hand,  static  elec- 
tricity will  subdue  them  at  once. 

"The  contraction  of  muscles  is  also  often  due  to  this 
same  mechanical  effect  of  the  spark,  just  as  muscles  of  the 
thigh  may  be  made  to  contract  bv  a  snap  of  the  finger  or  shai"p 
TdIovv  from  a  percussion  hammer. 

"With  regard  to  the  second  explanation-Vrthat  by  reflex  action 
following  a  peripheral  irritation  of  the  terminal  sensory  filaments 
and  endings — -a  very  intricate  question  is  opened,  which  we  can 
no  moje  than  glance  at  here. 

"  How  can  simple  electrification  by  insulation  and  the  draw- 
ing of  sparks,  it  is  asked,  produce  the  decided  effects  that  are 
claimed  for  it.?  Static  electricity,  it  is  said,  owing  to  its  high 
tension,  accumulates  merely  on  the  surface  of  the  body,  and 
does  not  penetrate  into  the  deeper  organs,  while  the  spark  is 
merely  the  briefest  kind  of  current. 

"Recent  investigations  on  the  irritative  action  of  applications 
to  the  skin  have  thrown  a  new  light  upon  this  question,  and 
show  that,  though  previously  unexplained,  the  effects  of  the 
great  accumulation  of  electricity  on  the  sui'face  and  the  sharp 
blow  of  the  spark  were,  in  truth,  effects  based  upon  a  true 
physiological  principle,  the  principle  named  by  Brown-Sequard, 
its  recent  expounder — "the  phenonema  of  inhibition."  A  few 
drops  of  chloroform  applied  to  the  neck  of  a  guinea-pig  pro- 
duced, on  some  occasions,  an  epileptic  attack ;  on  others  the 
nerves  and  muscles  became  highly  excitable  to  stimulation. 

"But  the  most  notable  effect  of  irritating  applications  of  chlo- 
roform, as  we'l  as  other  substances,  was  a  general   ancesthesia ; 


Eli^ctkicitv  and  Electrical  Apparatus.  103 

reflex  symptoms  were  inhibited  and   musculai-  excitability   lost. 

'^\s  we  have  as  yet  received  but  extracts  of  Brown-Sequard's 
communications,  we  must  wait  for  fuller  development  of  his 
ideas.  But  an  interesting  element  has  entered  into  our  physio- 
logical and  therapeutical  studies — that  of  the  reflex  phenomena 
of  peripheral  irritation.  And  we  may  at  once  place  under  this 
single  heading  a  large  number  of  facts  long  familiar. 

"  External  irritant  applications,  in  one  form  or  another,  have 
always  formed  an  imporant  element  in  medical  treatment.  And 
most  of  these  applications  have  been  used  to  relieve  pain,  or  in 
some  way  modify  the  general  sensibility  either  in  contiguous  or 
remote  parts. 

"Familiar  examples  are  blisters,  sinapisms,  cupping,  the  ac- 
tual cautery,  ammonia,  the  moxa  aqua  and  acupuncture,  and  in 
later  days  the  magnet,  the  tuning-fork,  and  hypodermic  injec- 
tions of  water  into  the  thoracic  walls  for  the  purpose  of  allaying 
the  cough  of  phthisis.  The  latest  novelty  in  this  direction  is 
the  electric  percutor  of  Baudet,  consisting  of_  a  tuning-fork 
kept  in  vibration  by  electricity,  and  communicating  to  any  de- 
sired nerve  or  part 'by  means  of  a  slender  rod;  the  mechanical 
vibrations  originated  in  the  fork. 

"Charcot,  after  cautious  experimentation,  has  given  his  ad- 
herence to  the  statement  that  metals  (metallo-therapy)  do  pro- 
duce effects  contiguous  and  remote  when  applied  to  the  skin — 
that  the  magnet  also- produces  similar  effects,  both  upon  general 
sensibilitv  and  muscular  power.  Vigouroux  has  pointed  out  that 
the  vibrations  of  a  tuniog-fork,  either  alone  or  communicated  to 
a  sounding-board,  provoke  similar  phenomena. 

"  Here,  then,  in  this  collection  of  well-known  facts,  and  in 
the  broad  generalization  of  Brown-Sequard,  drawn  from  his  re- 
cent experiments,  w^e  have,  at  last,  it  seems  to  me,  found  the 
law  which  governs  the  results  produced  and  to  be  expected  from 
statical  electrification,  as  well  as  from  so-me  other  uses  of  elec- 
tricity. This  law  is  the  effect  produced  upon  remote  parts  by 
affecting  the  peripheral  distribution  of  the  sensory  nei-ves,  and 
the  effect  produced  is  most  commonly  relief  of  pain  or  spasm  iii 
a  remote  part.  And  in  this  principle  of  inhibition  froin  peri- 
pheral application  may  doubtless  be  found  the  explanation  of 
many  of  the  definite  and  hitherto  inexplicable  effects  of  static 
electricity. 

"The  'insulation'  alone  holds  the  entire  sensory  peripheral 
distribution  of  the  skin  in  its  grasp.  Every  nerve-filament  is 
vibrating,  is  pohunzed,  or  affected,  whatever  term  we  choose  to 
use,  by  the  tense  layer  of  electricity  or  electrical  influence  col- 
lected on  the  surface,  there  bound  by  the  natural  laws  of 
physics,  and  only  waiting  to  be  drawn  off  by  a  spark  or  diffuse 


i04  Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus. 

itself  gradually  into  the  atmosphere,  while  in  the   spark  itself  is 
found  a  still  more  potent  and  localized  stimulating  agent." 

Dr.  Romaine  J.  Curtiss,  of  Joliet,  111.,  in  a  paper  written  for 
the  American  Medical  Journal,  communicates  the  following: 

"  The  action  of  electricity  in  curing  disease — for  instance,  in  re- 
lieving neuralgia — is,  of  course,  obscure  ;  but  it  is  the  question 
everybody  naturally  asks,  and  everybody  would  like  to  know.  It 
is  not  necessary  to  say  that  the  remedy  acts  by  any  particular 
chemical  effect,  or  that  it  really  exerts  any  effect  much  more  than 
mechanical.  Its  primaiy  effect  is  a  series  of  shocks,  to  skin, 
muscles,  nerves,  and  all  tissues  through  which  the  current  is 
passed ;  and  part  of  the  electricity  is  converted  into  heat  by  the 
resistance  of  the  tissues,  as  we  would  suppose  by  reasoning  from 
the  a  friori  stand-point,  and  as  we  really  find  by  actual  trial  of 
the  remedy.  The  patient  will  always  speak  of  an  increased 
temperature  if  the  current  is  passed  through  a  considerable  part 
of  the  body  for  ten  or  fifteen  minutes. 

"The  reasons  for  supposing  that  the  primary  effect  of  the 
static  cuiTent  is  simply  mechanical  are  as  follows :  An  instini- 
ment  has  been  invented  by  somebody  (I  do  not  recall  the  name), 
called,  I  think,  a  -peraitor.  This  instrument  is  made  with  a 
vibrator  which  strikes  rapid  blows,  with  greater  or  less  rapidity 
and  intensity.  When  these  blows  from  the  instrument  are  di- 
rected upon  the  skin,  the  effects  are  identical  with  those  of  elec- 
tricity. The  relief  of  pain,  the  tonic  effect,  the  remote  thera- 
peutic effects,  and  the  temperature  effects,  are  the  same,  or 
nearly  so,  in  each  case.  The  perczitor^  according  to  the  in- 
ventor's reports,  is  performing  some  remarkable  cures.  He 
even  undertakes  to  cure  brain  disease,  and  organic  spinal-cord 
disease,  by  the  action  of  the  •pcrciitor.  In  such  cases,  the  in- 
strument is  applied  generally  over  the  peripheral  ends  of  the 
distributions  of  nerves  which  have  their  origin  in  or  near  the 
diseased  part. 

"  Now  this,  principle  is  an  old  one  of  electro-therapeutics. 
Nearly  all  authors  speak  of  benefit  in  paralysis  from  brain 
lesion  by  electrization  of  the  paralyzed  muscles.  If  other 
things  are  equal,  benefit  in  such  cases  can  only  result  by  reason 
of  repair  of  the  brain  lesion,  consequent  upon  electrical  action 
upon  the  muscle  nerves,  and  the  transmission  of  this  therapeu- 
tical effect  to  the  brain  tissues. 

"  At  all  events,  my  belief  is  that  the  theraf)eutical  effect  is, 
in  either  case,  the  result  of  mechanical  shock.  No  tissue  can 
receive  a  mechanical  shock  without  increase  of  its  molecular 
activity,  if  the  shock  is  therapeutical  at  all,  and,  without  doubt, 
diminished  nutrition  or  blood  sup^^ly,  and  nei-ve  action,  and  per- 


Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus.  105 

haps  pam  (the  subjective  side  of  either  or  all  of  these  condi- 
ditions  or  the  opposite  conditions),  is  a  diminished  molecular 
activity.  The  mechanical  force  of  the  fiercutor  or  static  ma- 
chine is  transmitted  to  the  tissue  ;  it  tnust  excite  coiTesponding 
motion  or  heat,  and  it  probably  does  both,  with  the  effect  for 
good  or  evil  which  we  get  from  the  use  of  these  remedies." 

These  obsei-vations,  recorded  by  Drs.  Morton  and  Curtiss, 
doubtless  express  the  principal  facts,  so  far  as  known,  regarding 
the  therapeutic  action  of  static  electricity.  But  we  are  inclined 
to  the  opinion  that  the  peculiar  (mechanical)  disturbance  re- 
sulting from  the  application  of  this  form  of  electricity  accom- 
plishes a  great  deal  7tiore^  in  a  therapeutical  point  of  view,  than 
can  possibly  be  hoped  for  from  the  use  of  percutors,  or  any  form  of 
massage,  or  massage  instruments.  While  we  cannot  understand 
exactly  how  a  therapeutic  measure  accomplishes  a  certain  end, 
we  need  not  limit  its  influence  to  a  comparatively  narrow  com- 
pass, till  we  have  waited  and  watched.  Time  will  develop  the 
fact  that  while  static  electricity  is  capable  of  accomplishing  much 
through  pure  mechanical  influence  alone,  results  unexpected  and 
even  astonishing  follow  its  use,  that  are  not  accounted  for  in  the 
observations  of  Morton  and  Curtiss.  We  may  imderstand  these 
things  better  after  a  while. 

With  these  observations  and  experiences  before  us,  we  are 
ready  to  consider  the  various  forms  of  administering  static  elec- 
tricity, and  point  out,  if  we  can,  the  particular  conditions  indi- 
cating their  use.  There  are  four  of  these  forms,  viz:  Insulation, 
sparks  and  spra3^s,  shock,  and  the  static  induced  current.  Of 
these,  insulation,  sparks  and  the  static  induced  current  are  emi- 
nently practical ;  the  shock  is  disagreeable  to  the  patient  and  is 
not  much  used. 

It  is  well  known  to  experienced  electricians  that  in  the  use  of 
the  faradic  and  galvanic  currents  a  complete  circuit  must  be 
formed  by  interposing  some  part  of  the  body  between  the  posi- 
tive and  negative  poles  of  the  battery,  before  any  impression  is 
produced  upon  the  subject.  Simply  connecting  a  patient  with 
one  of  the  poles,  let  it  be  positive  or  negative,  will  not  result 
in  faradization  or  galvanization  of  the  part  so  connected.  Not 
so  with  static  electricity.  One  pole  is  sufficient  to  fill  the  pa- 
tient full  of  electricity,  so  to  speak. 


io6  Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus. 

Insulation. — This  is  generally  termed  the  electric  bath,  and  it 
affords  a  good  illustration  of  the  above  statement,  that  static 
electricity  is  directly  conducted  to  the  patient  by  one  pole. 
First,  we  prepai'e  an  insulating  chair,  stool  or  platform,  by 
simply  slipping  glass  cups,  or  rubber  caps  made  for  the  purpose, 
under  the  lesfs  of  the  chair  or  stool  used.  Then  this  insulating^ 
chair  is  connected,  by  means  of  a  brass  chain  or  rod,  to  the  prime 
conductor  of  the  machine.  The  patient  is  seated  upon  this  chair 
or  stool,  and  is  said  to  be  insulated — separated  from  direct  com- 
munication, electrical!}'  speaking,  with  the  earth.  We  now  com- 
mence to  operate  the  machine.  As  electricity  is  generated,  and 
condensed  in  the  Leyden  jars,  it  is  silently  conducted  to  the  pa- 
tient, without  any  painful  sensations,  and  is  gradually  and  si- 
lently discharged  from  the  body  to  the  surrounding  atmosphere, 
producing  very  pleasing  effects.  The  hair  of  the  head  stands 
up,  a  pleasant  sensation  of  warmth  comes  over  the  body, 
the  patient  perspires,  and  if  the  sitting  is  continued  for 
twenty  to  thirty  minutes  a  feeling  of  drowsiness  comes  on.  If 
continued  too  long,  a  tired  feeling  is  complained  of.  All  this 
time  it  will  be  obsei-ved  that  the  pulse  is  mpre  rapid  than  usual, 
and  the  face  is  apt  to  be  flushed.  Upon  the  whole,  these  sean- 
ces are  exceedingly  refreshing  to  invalids,  and  they  prize  them 
highly.  If  very  strong  electrification  is  desired,  the  connecting 
rod,  or  chafn  itself  maybe  held  in  the  hand  of  the  patient  while 
it  is  connected  with  the  prime  conductor,  the  patient  still  on  the 
insulating  stool. 

This  is  the  electric  bath,  or  static  electricity  administered  by 
insulation  or  silent  conduction. 

Sparks. — Going  back  to  the  machine,  we  direct  our  attention 
to  the  discharging  rods,  r  r.  These  rods  are  not  stationary,  but 
ai'e  readily  drawn  away  from  each  other,  or  the}'  i^^y  be  moved 
till  their  ends  are  nearly  or  quite  in  apposition.  If  we  move 
them  a  little,  so  they  are  barely  separated,  and  then  put  the 
machine  in  motion,  we  observe  that  electricity  is  discharged 
with  a  crackling  sound,  and  accompanied  by  vivid  sparks,  made 
up  of  exceedingly  minute  particles  of  the  electrode  used,  and 
the  air  in  an  incandescent  state.  The  length  of  the  spark,  as 
well  as  its  shape,  is  regulated  by  the  distance  between  the  ends 


Electricity  and  Electrical  Appara  us.  107 

of  the  discharging  rods.  When  the  rods  are  close  together  the 
sparks  are  straight,  are  emitted  in  rapid  succession  with  a  fine 
crackling  sound ;  but  when  the  rods  are  separated  two,  four  or 
eight  inches,  the  sparks  become  curved  or  zig-zag,  like  lightning, 
are  not  discharged  so  rapidly,  but  with  a  louder  report. 

Now,  electricity  in  the  form  of  sparks  may  be  passed  through 
parts  of  the  body  in  the  following  manner:  We  first  insulate 
the  subject,  as  in  giving  the  electric  bath,  and  when  the  patient  is 
well  charged, sparks  may  be  drawn  from  any  portion  of  the  body  by 
the  near  approach  of  a  suitable  electrode,  more  or  less  directly 
connected  with  the  earth.  When  the  electrode  is  simply  held 
in  the  hand  of  the  operator  we  have  an  earth  connection,  but  it 
is  not  quite  so  direct,  and  not  neai'ly  so  perfect  as  when  it  is  at- 
tached to  a  brass  chain,  which  is  connected  with  a  gas  pipe  or  some 
other  metallic  substance  leading  directly  to  the  earth.  Brass 
balls  of  different  sizes  mounted  on  glass  handles,  directly  con- 
nected with  the  earth,  are  generally  used  in  drawing  sparks. 
Regarding  the  practice  of  drawing  sparks  Dr.  Morton  makes  the 
following  observations : 

"  The  patient  is  first  insulated;  in  this  condition  sparks  will 
fly  between  any  point  of  the  body  and  a  conductor  more  or 
less  directly  connected  with  the  earth.  Their  strength  and 
shape  may  be  graduated  within  large  limits  by  the  operator, 
from  a  minute  prickle  to  a  blow  passing  through  six  inches 
or  more  of  intervening  air.  (That  is,  where  the  electrode  is 
held  close  to  the  part  the  sparks  are  more  rapidly  produced  and 
are  less  exciting  than  long  sparks.)  In  certain  forms  of  anass- 
thesia  and  paralysis,  as  well  also  as  along  the  spine,  which  is 
particularly  insensible  to  their  superficial  effects,  these  long 
sparks  may  be  used  with  great  advantage.  A  little  practice 
shows  in  what  regions  strong  sparks  are  not  disagreeable  and 
ill  what  regions  they  are  painful.  The  question  as  to  whether 
the  spark  is  considered  painful  or  not  further  depends  upon 
the  size  and  shape  of  the  electrode.  The  spark  from  a  brass 
ball  two  inches  in  diameter  causes  no  pain,  while  a  spark  of 
the  same  length  from  a  quarter-inch  ball  causes  a  prickling 
sensation.  I  much  prefer,  on  many  accounts,  the  large  elec- 
trodes. In  all  instances,  in  'drawing'  sparks  I  use  a  ground 
connection,  easily  effected  by  connecting  the  chain  to  the 
nearest  gas-  or  water-  pipe.  The  operator  may  employ  a 
great  variety  of  electrodes,  large  and  small  metal  balls,  or  balls 
of  wood,  charcoal,  and  other  substances.     A  large   metal  ball 


io8  Electkicity  and  Electrical  Apparatus. 

and  a  sharp-pointed  rod  are  in  general  sufficient,  though  special 
forms  are  needed  for  the  ear,  mouth,  nose,  and  some  other 
organs. 

"It  is  never  necessary  to  remove  the  patient's  clothing,  smce 
the  sparks  pass  through  any  fabric  without  injury  to  it,  and  with- 
out any  diminution  of  their  effect.  When  a  spark  of  considera- 
ble strength  strikes  the  skin,  a  whitish  spot  is  seen  at  the  point 
of  contact  and  in  regions  where  there  are  hairs,  a  condition  re- 
sembling "goose-flesh."  A  little  urticarial  wheal,  even,  may 
appear  on  sensitive  skin,  which  is  soon  replaced  by  slight  erythe- 
matous blushes.  These  effects  disappear  in  from  half  an  hour 
to  two  hours. 

"  We  administer  sparks  to  excite  muscular  contractility,  to 
excite  the  function  of  organs  and  special  senses,  to  cure  by  reflex 
action,  and  to  stimulate  the  general  skin  surface.  For  this  latter 
effect  a  metallic  roller  electrode  is  desirable. 

"But  the  spark  may  be  pre-eminently  antispasmodic.  Its 
action  in  this  instance  depends  upon  the  cause  of  the  spasm.  If 
of  central  irritative  origin,  the  sparks  are  drawn  from  the  head 
and  back  of  the  neck  ;  if  local,  from  the  affected  part ;  if  from  a 
reflex,  from  the  peripheral  point  wh:ch  controls  the  reflex.  Of- 
tentimes when  the  distribution  of  a  motor  nerve  can  be  reached, 
a  spasm  may  be  at  once  controlled  by  the  simple  mechanical 
numbing  effect  of  a  succession  of  sparks.  For  instance,  in  a 
patient  subject  to  violent  tonic  spasm  of  a  great  number  of 
muscles  on  the  left  side,  particularly  the  region  supplied  by  the 
facial  neive  and  the  spinal  accessory,  I  have  often  made  this 
experiment. 

"  At  times,  when  an  attack  was  coming  on,  about  to  last  inva- 
riablv  several  hours,  I  have  applied  the  s'atic  induced  current 
(equivalent  to  the  current  from  the  ordinary  faradic  battery)  to 
the  facial  nei-ve,  and  caused  the  facial  group  of  muscles  to  re- 
spond, not  in  a  clonic  but  in  a  tonic  manner,  i.  e. ,  the  mouth 
strongly  drawn  up  at  the  corner,  the  eye  closed,  etc.,  etc.  In 
less  than  a  minute  a  few  sparks  would  resolve  this  spasm. 
Again  produced,  it  could  be  again  as  quickly  resolved,  and  this  re- 
peated as  often  and  in  as  varied  a  manner  as  desired.  In  torticollis, 
in  spasms  of  irregular  forms  of  epilepsy,  and  in  a  large  variety  of 
hysterical  spasms  I  have  seen  the  same  results,  as  well,  also, 
as  in  muscles  grown  rigid  by  pain,  rheumatism,  or  paralysis  of 
their  antagonists. 

"  In  the  relief  of  neuralgic  pain  the  spai'k  is  in  most  every  in- 
stance successful,  often  instantaneously  (ten  to  twenty  minutes). 

"  In  subacute  and  chronic  rheumatic  pains,  its  curative  power 
is  equally  certain  and  rapid.  I  have  never  seen  from  medication 
results  at  all  comparable  to  the  effects  of  static  electricity.     A 


Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus.  109 

variety  of  rheumatic  pains,  characterized  by  deep-seated,  con- 
stant, wearisome,  and  disabHng  pain,  oftentimes  transhitable, 
Generally  worse  upon  getting  up  in  the  morning,  is  relieved  with 
great  certainty  and  at  once.  The  same  is  true  of  muscular  rheu- 
matism." 

The  Static  Induced  Current. — This  is  produced  in  the  fol- 
lowing manner: 

"  The  operator  is  provided  with  two  brass  chains,  such  as  are 
used  with  an  electrical  machine,  and  they  should  have  a  clasp  at 
one  extremity.  One  chain  should  be  clasped  over  the  left  hand 
discharging  rod,  marked  r\  the  other  should  be  clasped  aiound 
the  base  of  the  right-hand  condenser,  marked  i.  To  the  other  or 
free  extremities  of  the  two  chains  should  be  fastened  the  usual 
sponge  electrodes,  moistened  with  water.  The  dischariring  rods 
should  now  be  approximated,  but  should  not  touch.  When  the 
plate  is  made  to  revolve,  sparks  pass  between  the  ends  of  the 
discharging  rods,  and  if  the  electrodes  are  applied  to  the  thumb 
muscles — for  example— the  following  phenomena  ensue  :  If  the 
discharging  rods  are  placed  nearly  together  a  very  fine  tingling 
is  experienced  ;  if  further  removed,  the  tingling  is  more  decided  ; 
and  if  still  more  separated,  so  that  distinct  sparks  pass,  active 
muscular  contractions  take  place.  The  impression  made  by 
the  electricity  is  like  that  of  the  faradic  machine,  but  is  much 
less  painful ;  and  strong  muscular  contractions  are  induced  with 
greatly  less  pain  than  can  correspondingly  strong  contractions  of 
the  muscles  be  obtained  by  faradism.  I  have  found  that  the  fine 
current,  which  is  nearly  continuous,  affords  relief  in  neuralgia, 
muscular  rheumatism,  chorea,  etc.,  and  the  strong  intermittent 
current  to  act  most  energetically  on  muscle." 

This  is  Prof.  Bartholow's  method  of  using  the  static  machine 
for  the  production  of  the  static  induced  current.  This  use  of 
the  static  machine  is  available  in  many  cases  ;  and  while  this 
static  induced  current  may  not  entirely  take  the  place  of  farad- 
ism, it  is  doubtless  capable  of  giving  better  results  in  some 
cases  than  can  possibly  be  obtained  from  faradization.  In  the 
use  of  the  static  induced  current  the  patient  need  not  be  in- 
sulated, as  in  the  cases  of  silent  conduction  or  electric  bath, 
and  where  sparks  are  drawn,  but  may  occupy  an  ordinary  chair. 

Regarding  the  specific  therapeutics  of  static  electricity,  we  are 
greatly  pleased,  and  have  quite  a  number  of  authentic  cases,  from 
different  sources,  on  record,  illustrating  its  merits  and  inestimable 
value. 


I  lo  Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus. 

The  following  practical  observations  are  abstracted  from  an 
original  paper  written  for  the  American  Medical  Journal,  by 
Romaine  J.  Curtiss,  M.  D.^  of  Joliet,  111.  : 

"  In  the  use  of  the  static  machine  I  do  not  use  an  insulated 
table  or  platform,  but  seat  the  patient  in  a  chair  with  his  feet 
upon  a  metal  plate,  to  which  one  of  the  poles  is  attached, 
while  the  other  pole  is  applied  on  or  close  to  any  part  which  it 
may  be  required  to  act  upon. 

"  The  machine  I  use  was  made  by  P.  Atkinson,  Esq.,  i68 
Randolph  St. ,  Chicago.  The  machine  is  made  with  apparatus 
attached  to  the  outer  metal  of  the  Leyden  jar,  which  discharges 
the  electricity  from  the  jar  simultaneously  with  the  discharge  be- 
tween the  poles  of  the  jars.  Drawing  the  poles  apart,  then,  reg- 
ulates the  forces  or  the  spark.  The  current  used  in  this  manner 
is  called  the  static  induced  current. 

"  In  general  terms  I  can  say  that  static  electricity  will  relieve 
pain  in  neuralgic  diseases  even  better  than  galvanism.  As  a 
general  tonic  I  am  very  greatly  pleased  with  its  effect,  especially 
if  the  tonic  is  required  on  account  of  weakness  of  the  nei'vous 
system. 

"  In  rheumatic  diseases  electricity  is  most  always  useful,  and 
I  have  yet  to  find  a  case  of  rheumatic  disease  which  I  have 
failed  to  benefit  or  cure  with  static  electricity. 

"  Most  of  the  diseases  which  are  notably  benefited  by  static, 
as  well  as  other  electricity,  are  nervous  and  rheumatic  affec- 
tions. I  have  used  the  remedy  particularly  in  neuralgia,  and  in 
that  many  sided  disease,  spinal  irritation,  and  most  always  with 
good  effect. 

"A  characteristic  effect  of  static  electricity  in  rheumatism  and 
neuralgia  is  an  immediate  relief  of  pain.  In  chronic  cases  the 
pain  will  be  relieved  almost  entirely,  and  remain  so  for  I3  or 
perhaps  24  hours.  The  pain  will  then  return  with  less  severity, 
and  another  dose  will  again  relieve.  It  is  obvious  that  continua- 
tion of  such  treatment,  when  electricity  has  this  effect,  will  re- 
sult in  cure  ;  and  I  have  found  this  method  to  be  that  which  the 
remedy  takes  in  effecting  a  cure  when  it  is  successful. 

"  With  regard  to  the  length  of  the  spark  when  used  for  thera- 
peutic purposes,  I  must  emphatically  say  that  I  do  not  believe 
in  lengthening  the  spark  a  particle  beyond  what  is  compatible 
with  the  case  of  the  patient.  I  think  everybody's  experience 
will  prove  that  if  the  electricity  hurts  when  it  is  used,  it  will  do 
hurt.  I  began  the  use  of  static  electricity  by  giving  sparks  from 
an  inch  to  two  inches  long.  I  have  stopped  it.  I  begin  the  ap- 
plication of  the  current  by  making  the  sparks  so  short  that  the 
patient  can  just  feel  it.     I  then  lengthen  them   until  the  current 


Electricity  axd  Electrical  Apparatus.  hi 

can  be  distinctly  felt,  and  I  think  the  current  can  then  do  all  that 
static  electricity  is  able  to  do  in  the  cure  of  disease. 

"  The  preparation  of  the  patient  for  an  application  of  static 
electricity  is,  so  far  as  removal  of  clothing  is  concerned,  of  great 
advantage  over  other  forms  of  electrical  application.  The  static 
current  goes  through  the  shoes,  even  through  some  rubber  shoes, 
and  no  clothing  is  any  impediment  to  the  sparks.  The  only  dis- 
advcintage  of  the  clothing  is  that  the  electrode  is  necessarily 
measured  in  its  distance  from  the  surface  by  the  thickness  of  the 
clothes,  and  therefore  the  thicker  the  layer  of  clothing  the  long- 
er the  sparks  and  the  more  pain.  If  the  current  is  painful  some 
of  the  clothing  must  be  removed. 

"  In  the  practical  use  of  electricity  the  force  is  used,  or  ought 
to  be  used,  as  any  other  remedy  is,  and  by  this  I  mean  it  should 
be  used  as  auxiliary  to  other  remedies,  or  other  remedies  should 
be  used  as  auxiliary  to  electricity.  It  is  certainly  the  minimum 
of  cases  which  come  under  the  physician's  care  which  re- 
quire only  one  remedy,  or  in  which  the  physician  can  afford  to 
limit  himself  and  patient  to  one  remedy  for  the  sake  of  learning 
the  therapeutical  effect  of  that  remedy.  I  generally  use  elec- 
tricity as  an  auxiliary  to  other  treatment.  Therapeutically  I 
think  this  is  the  proper  method.  Medicines  and  remedies  are 
classified  physiologically  according  to  their  physiological  effect. 
As  a  rule,  whenever  there  is  a  therapeutical  '  indication'  for  a 
remedy,  several  medicines  having  the  same,  or  nearly  the  same, 
physiological  effect  are  prescribed. 

"Suppose  the  indications  are  to  lessen  the  size  of  the  capil- 
laries in  the  brain.  The  physician  will  combine  together  several 
remedies  which  have  the  same  general  effect,  and  perhaps  his 
combination  for  this  purpose  will  be  potass,  bromide,  fld.  ergot 
and  hydro-bromic  acid.  The  sociological  principle  put  forth  by 
one  of  the  revolutionary  patiiots — '  United  we  stand,  divided  we 
fall' — is  a  good  therapeutical  axiom  as  well.  A  combination 
of  remedies,  having  the  same  general  effect,  may  succeed  where 
one  of  them  would  fail.  I  append  a  few  cases  illustrative  of  the 
clinical  uses  of  static  electricity: 

"Case  I. — Mrs. ,  aged  63  years,  keeps  a  jewehy  store. 

During  the  past  six  months  patient  says  she  has  had  '  sciatic 
rheumatism,'  and  has  been  under  the  care  of  a  domestic  supply 
of  homcEopathic  medicines,  and  occasional  supplementary  aclvice 
of  an  auxiliary  physician  to  the  same.  On  examination  I  find 
the  patient's  diagnosis  very  nearly  correct ;  in  fact  the  disease 
could  very  well  be  call'ed  '  sciatic  rheumatism.'  The  region  of 
the  sciatic  nerve  was  painful,  the  muscles  swollen,  the  knee 
joint  could  not  be  flexed,  neither  could  the  ankle,  without  pa'.n. 
The  patient  could  stand  and  walk,   but   walked   without   flexing 


112  Electrici.v  and  Electrical  Apparatus. 

the  knee  and  ankle.  The  pain  was  referred  to  the  joints,  and 
throughout  tlie  distribution  of  the  sciatic  nerve,  and  was  most  se- 
vere at  night.  Patient  could  not  flex  the  joints,  or  draw  up  the 
limb  at  night,  and  when  she  was  helped  up,  generally  stood  on 
her  feet  behind  the  counter  all  day. 

' '  The  medicine  given  in  this  case  was  salicylate  of  quinine,  and 
the  static  induction  current  was  applied  ( very  day  for  eight  days. 
The  relief  to  the  pain  and  stiffness  was  marked  at  each  applica- 
tion, and  the  usual  morning  greeting  of  the  patient  was,  '  I  am  a 
hundred  per  cent,  better.' 

"  The  patient  called  herself  well  after  the  eighth  day. 

"Case  II. — Capt.  H.,  aged  about  40,  weight  about  235  lbs,, 
a  foreman  in  a  manufacturing  establishment,  was  attacked  by 
sciatica.  He  was  confined  to  bed  and  room  ten  days,  and  at- 
tended by  a  physician.  During  this  time  he  improved  some- 
what and  was  then  worse  again.  Being  called  to  see  him  I  ad- 
vised static  electricity,  and  the  patient  came  to  my  office  with 
great  difliculty.  The  slightest  movement  gave  him  great  pain. 
He  walked  from  his  carriage  into  the  office  by  the  aid  of  two 
crutches,  with  loud  groans  and  abundant  perspiration.  Being 
seated  on  the  chair  with  his  foot  on  the  metal  plate,  I  applied  the 
other  pole  over  the  origin  of  the  sciatic  nerve  next  the  skin. 
The  current  was  used  with  the  shortest  possible  sparks,  or  rapid 
shocks,  for  perhaps  fifteen  minutes.  At  this  time  the  pain  was 
entirely  gone ;  the  patient  made  his  usual  effort  to  stand  up  by 
aid  of  his  crutches,  but  went  up  so  much  easier  than  usual  that 
he  came  near  falling  over  forwards.  After  trying  his  motions 
and  adjusting  his  clothing,  and  making  one  or  two  steps  by  way 
of  experiment,  he  '  shovddered  his  crutch  ' — one  under  each  arm, 
and  marching  out,  '  showed  how  fields  were  won  '  in  therapeu- 
tics by  static  electricity.  Of  course  the  pain  returned  after  a 
few  hours,  but  with  less  intensity,  and  the  patient  returned  every 
day  for  twelve  days,  when  he  called  himself  well.  I  gave  no  medi- 
cine in  this  case, 

"  Case  III, — Mr. ,   aged  50,   Englishman,    and   skilled 

laborer  in  the  rolling  mills.  This  patient  was  laid  up  with 
chronic  rheumatism.  He  had  been  off  duty  for  over  three 
months  when  he  came  to  me  for  advice.  The  rheumatism  was 
confined  principally  to  the  muscles  of  the  arms  and  shoulders, 
was  transitory  and  migratory. 

"  At  one  time  ]jcrhaps  his  left  arm  would  be  useless  by  rea- 
son of  affection  of  deltoid  or  some  other  muscle  or  set  of  muscles, 
and  in  a  few  days  there  would  be  a  change  to  the  other  aim  or 
shoulder,  then  a  hand  would  show  the  disease,  and  the  fingers 
would  be  swollen  and  painful  for  a  few  days, 

"  I  treated  this  patient  for  six  weeks  with  medicine   and    elec- 


Ei.ECTRICITY    AND    ELECTRICAL    APPARATUS.  II3 

tricity.  The  medicines  used  were  salicylate  of  qiiinia,  iod. 
potass.,  colchicin  aconite,  black  cohosh,  and  finally  large  'quan- 
tities of  quinine  and  iodoform. 

"  The  static  induced  current  was  used  three  or  four  times  a 
week.  Its  use  was  continued  for  the  reason  that  it  never  failed 
to  give  immediate  relief.  If  a  shoulder,  or  arm,  or  hand  was 
disabled,  fifteen  minutes'  use  of  the  current  would  restore  motion 
without  the  usual  accompaniment  of  pain.  At  the  end  of  six 
weeks  the  patient  resumed  his  skilled  labor. 

"  Case  IV. — This  patient  was  a  young  farmer,  who  was  disa- 
bled by  a  complexity  of  obscure  symptoms.  He  had  been  idle  a 
whole  summer  by  reason  of  unpleasant  sensations  referred  to 
the  loins,  hips,  sciatic  region,  and  pains  and  aches  sometimes 
affected  his  spine,  and  the  nerves  between  the  ribs.  He  had 
suffered  many  things  from  many  physicians,  without  relief.  A 
traveling  specialist  had  treated  him  for  tape-worm.  A  surgeon 
sounded  him  for  stone  in  the  bladder.  A  female  clairvoyant 
'  seanced  '  and  '  passed  '  him.  A  homoeopath  had  fed  the 
nectar  _  loving  pathological  god  of  his  hobby  with  powerful 
potencies,  concealed  in  the  sweet  disguise  of  sugar  of  milk. 
A 'water  doctor'  had  viewed  his  urine  and  collected  his  pay. 
A  physician  had  detected  over  sexual  indulgence,  and  prescribed 
total  abstinence  for  the  old  man  Adam,  which  the  patient  de- 
clared hurt  him  more  than  anythimg  else,  for  he  '  felt  better,'  he 
said,  by  leaving  the  sexual  instincts  to  Nature,  and  gratifyino- 
his  longings  '  once  a  week.'  '^ 

"  I  examined  this  patient  carefully  with  relation  to  the  existence 
of  organic  lesion  and  could  find  nothing.  There  was  no  indica- 
tion of  disease  afforded  by  microscopical  examination  of  the 
urine.  The  heart  and  liver,  brain,  kidneys,  and  bowels  seemed 
to  be  free  from  disease.  I  could  not  satisfy  myself  that  he  had 
rheumatism  or  malaria,  and  I  classed  his  disorder  under  the 
head  of  those  spinal  lesions  which  are  not  organic,  but  which, 
by  errors  of  nutrition  or  circulation,  will  cause  these  symptom- 
atic affections  of  motor  and  sensory  nerves. 

"I  concluded  to  try  the  static  current,  and  placed  the  patient 
in  position,  his  feet  on  the  plate,  and  I  applied  the  other  pole 
over  the  spine.  The  patient  had  his  coat  on,  which  made  it 
necessary  not  to  use  very  rapid  shocks,  and  rather  long  sparks. 
I  first  api)licd  the  pole  over  the  spine  and  under  the  scapulie', 
and  gradually  worked  downwards  over  the  sciatic  region.  At 
first  the  patient  did  not  complain,  but  as  I  approached  the  sciatic 
region  he  began  to  wince,  and  while  I  was  telling  him  I  thought 
he  could  stand  it  well  enough,  '  it  wouldn't  hurt  him  much,'  he 
fell  off  the  chair  in  syncope,  or  a  fainting  fit. 

"I  applied  the  usual  restoratives  from  a  pitcher,   but  the   pa- 


1 14  Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus. 

tient  declined  to  try  anv  more  of  the  remedy,  and  didn't  for  sev- 
eral days.  He  returned,  however,  and  was  under  treatment  for 
three  months  by  use  of  the  static  induction  current,  and  was 
cured  of  his  spinal  iriitation.  The  current  was  applied  with  use 
of  very  short  sparks,  mostly  applied  by  the  positive  pole  to  the 
lumbar  region,  and  the  current  went  through  the  lower  extremi- 
ties. The  tonic  effect  from  these  therapeutical!}'  applied  shocks 
to  the  sacral  and  lumbar  nerves  restored  the  integrity  of  the 
spinal  cord.  I  suppose  '  nerve  stretching '  would  have  sensed 
the  same  purpose,  this  procedure  acting,  in  all  probabilitv,  in 
no  other  manner  than  by  by  causing  a  nen'ous  shock. 

''Case  V. — The  use  of  static  electricity  in  this  case  fully 
illustrates  the  benefit  of  this   agent  when   used   for   its  general 

tonic  effect.     Mrs. .   a  widow,  age  about  30  (by  guess), 

was  left  by  misfortune  with  two  children  and  no  propert}-.  She 
worked  and  woiried  for  three  years,  and  then  broke  down.  She 
was  the  type  of  neurasthenia  in  its  most  general  varietv,  and  if 
she  had  uerve  exhaustion  she  also  had  muscle  exhaustion,  and 
digestive  exhaustion,  and  in  fact  general  exhaustion.  The 
sensory  nei'ves  were  painful,  the  motor  nen'es  were  paretic,  the 
digestion  was  impaired.  She  had  no  appetite,  was  sleepless, 
melancholic,  and  the  general  picture  of  phvsical  and  mental 
exhaustion. 

"  Of  course  rest  was  prescribed,  and,  as  auxiliaries,  the  static 
current  and  the  following  medicines:  Erythroxvlon  coca,  elix. 
strychnia  and  quinia,  tr.  digitalis. 

'•The  patient  required  three  months  for  recovery,  and  was 
treated  by  the  static  current  every  day.  The  usual  method  of 
application  was  to  begin  the  dose  by  passing  the  current  from 
feet  to  hands  for  a  few  minutes,  and  then  applving  one  pole 
over  the  back,  paN-ing  particular  attention  to  the  location  of 
origin  of  spinal  nerves. 

"  The  electricity  was  believed  to  be  a  valuable  help  for  the 
reason  that  the  immediate  effects  were  aUvavs  of  such  benefit 
as  a  tonic  and  stimulant. 

"Case  VI. — Mrs. ,  taught  school  six  vears  and  then  mar- 
ried, and  was  probably  30  years  of  age,  when  she  began  to  lose 
appetite  and  flesh,  have  numbness  of  the  extremities — both  feet 
and  hands,  and  catarrh  of  the  pharynx. 

"  This  condition  of  things  prevailed  for  a  few  months,  when 
she  began  to  cough  ominously,  and  advice  was  looked  for.  The 
diagnosis  was  spinal  irritation,  and  in  this  case  the  treatment 
was  bv  static  induced  electricity  alone.  There  were  painful  ver- 
tebrae at  different  spinal  localities,  and  the  current  was  specially 
directed  to  these  points.  In  about  three  months  the  numbness 
of   extremities    and   tenderness   of    vertebra3    disappeared,    ap- 


Electricity  and  Electric.ax  Apparatus.  115 

petite  improved,  cough  ceased,  and  the  catarrh  of  the  pharynx 
being  a  svmptom  of  the  pathological  condition  recovered  itself. 

'•  I  mention  these  cases  as  fair  t\-pes  of  the  diseases  in  which 
static  electricity  is  useful,  either  as  a  single  remedy  or  as  an 
auxiliary  remedy.  I  regard  electricity  in  general  and  static 
electricity  in  particular  as  standard  remedial  agents,  and  well 
worthy  the  esteem  of  prac  itioners,  whether  general  practitioners, 
or  specialists  of  any  department  in  medicine. 

''I  have  often  heard  the  criticism  made  that  'electricity  in 
medicine  is  a  humbug,'  and  '  electricity  won't  cure  anything' — 
criticisms  of  course  ^vhich  merit  no  replv.  and  the  fact  is  that 
most  of  such  criticisms  are  made  by  men  who  know  nothing 
about  it :  and.  in  fact,  couldn't  explain  the  difference  between 
galvanism  and  induced  electricity-." 

The  following  clinical  reports  are  from  the  records  of  W.  J. 
Morton,  M.  D.,  of  Xew  York.  He  made  the  observations  him- 
self, and  reported  them  to  the  Xew  York  Academy  of  Medicine. 
He  is  reliable  authority  everywhere ;  and,  so  far  as  our  ex- 
perience   goes.  Dr.   Morton's    obser^-ations    are    c  nfirmed: 

'•  Case  I. — Mrs.  K ,  seventy-two  3'ears  of  age.  hysterical 

spasm.  This  lad}'  applied  to  me  for  advice  two  3ears  ago,  but 
I  was  not  able  to  afford,  notwithstanding  persistent  and  various 
medication,  the  least  relief.  Despairing  of  curing  her,  and  con- 
sidering the  case  interesting,  I  obtained  her  consent  to  going  be- 
fore the  meeting  of  the  American  Neurological  Association,  in 
June,  1S79,  from  whose  records  I  extract  a  few  lines  describing 
her  condition:  'Dr.  W.  J.  Morton  presented  a  patient  who  for 
many  3-ears  had  suffered  from  sudden  attacks  of  great  distress, 
both  mental  and  ph3-sical.  attended  by  apparent  eructations  of 
immense  quantities  of  wind.  The  seizures  lasted  from  one-half 
to  one  or  two  hours,  during  which  the  patient  was  greatly  dis- 
tressed. The  attacks  were  developed  b}'  any  form  of  excite- 
ment. The}'  were  in  no  way  related  to  dyspepsia.  None  of 
the  members  had  seen  a  case  exactl}'  like  it.  Nothing  in  the 
wa}-  of  treatment  had  afforded  anv  benefit.' 

'•Mrs.    K has  been   subject   to   these    attacks    daily   for 

twelve  jears ;  she  atd"ibutes  their  origin  to  emotional  troubles. 
The  attack  is  usuallv  ushered  in  bv  a  tired  feeling  and  much  ap- 
prehension. At  the  same  time  she  generally  feels  nausea. 
They  are  most  often  brought  on  bv  surprise,  a  question,  or  a 
variet}'  of  slight  causes,  though  frequently  occurring  without  any 
known  exciting  cause.  Their  onset  has  no  relation  to  the  food 
she  takes.  Shortly  following  the  sense  of  weariness  succeed 
excrutiating  pains,   first   in   the  wnist  and  fingers,  then  in  the 


I  [6  Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus. 

elbows,  and  up  the  arms.  She  at  once  begins  to  rub  these  parts 
in  great  distress  ;  the  pains  soon  reach  the  knees  and  feet ;  a 
sense  of  tickling  begins  in  the  throat,  which  quickly  becomes 
tense  and  rigid,  and  creates  a  sense  of  suffocation  ;  finally  there 
is  severe  pain  between  the  shoulders,  the  patient  now  presenting 
a  case  of  greatest  distress.  The  muscles  at  the  articulations 
named  are  tensely  contracted.  The  order  of  events  described  is 
sometimes  varied  by  the  origin  of  the  attack  in  the  face,  along- 
side of  the  nose,  and  in  the  teeth  and  gums.  Sutldenly  the  pa- 
tient's distress  is  in  a  degree  relieved  by  what  appears  to  be  a 
great  belching  of  wind  from  the  stomach.  This  phenomenon  I 
cannot  explain.  A  feather  held  at  these  times  before  the  mouth 
is  neither  drawn  inward  nor  blown  outward.  There  is,  there- 
fore, no  real  belching.  The  sound  more  nearly  resembles  that 
of  cribbing  horses  or  the  grunting  of  certain  fishes.  The  attacks 
break  up  with  profuse  involuntary  lachrymation.  Such  an  at- 
tack often  lasts  two  hours,  and  occurs  several  times  daily.  She 
believes  that  under  such  circumstances  life  is  a  great  burden  to 
her. 

•'  I  will  not  further  enlarge  upon  her  symptoms.  Unable  to 
relieve  or  cure  her,  I  had  abandoned  the  case.  Returning  from 
Europe  this  summer,  she  again  called,  and  stated  that  she  was 
much  worse. 

"As  a  last  resource  I  suggested  static  electricity,  with  the 
following  historv: 

"November  i6th.  Insulation,  half  hour,  and  sparks  at  epi- 
gastrium. November  iSth.  No  spasm  since  insulation;  yes- 
terday was  the  first  day  for  twelve  years  that  she  had  passed 
without  an  attack.  Insulation,  and  sparks  to  spine.  Novem- 
ber 22nd.  No  attack  since  last  record.  Feels  perfectly  well. 
November  23rd.  Pain  in  the  arms  and  between  the  shoulders 
was  beginning  when  she  mounted  the  insulating  platform  ;  this 
disappeared  in  ten  minutes.  Nov.  24th.  A  slight  spasm  yester- 
day, with  pains.  Nov.  27th.  No  further  attacks.  Treatment 
thrice  weekly  was  continued  during  December,  with  no  returns  of 
attacks.  January  7th.  To-day  fell  on  the  ice,  which  brought 
on  severe  attack  of  pain  in  the  epigastrium,  arms  and  legs,  and 
suffocation,  the  whole  lasting  about  eight  hours.  From  this  date 
treatment  was  continued  two  weeks,  and  the  patient  was  then 
entirely  cured.  No  other  form  of  treatment  was  made  use  of. 
No  appearance  of  return  has  occurred  to  date. 

•'It  need  hardly  be  said  that  the  sudden  cessation  of  the 
inisery  of  years  was  equallv  gratifying  to  phvsician  and  patient. 

"Case  II. — Hysterical  Spasjn  and  Paralysis.  —  Mrs.  ]M , 

aged  twenty-six  ;   married  seven  3'ears  ;  three   children  ;   no  neu- 
ropathic history. 


Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus.  117 

"Present  trouble  began  three  years  ago  last  June.  While 
walking  noticed  something  like  a  flame  before  the  eyes,  then  her 
sight  failed  her,  her  arm  and  leg  grew  heavy,  her  tongue  thick, 
so  that  she  could  only  sputter,  but  she  in  no  wise  lost  con. 
sciousness. 

''  She  laid  in  bed  eleven  months,  paralyzed  in  the  entire  left 
side.  The  face  was  flat  on  the  left  side,  and  drawn  to  the  right ; 
the  leg,  arm  and  hand  were  numb,  but  also  were  subject  to 
stinging,  prickling  pains ;  her  face  and  lips  also  prickled  ;  had 
globus  hystericus.  Though  she  left  her  bed- at  the  end  of  eleven 
months,  she  has  never  been  well. 

"  Present  Condition. — Attacks  occur  daily.  The  whole  left 
side  suddenly  grows  numb  and  heavy  as  lead.  At  the  same 
moment  the  leg  shortens,  the  aim  also  shortens  and  retreats  up 
the  cuff  of  her  dress,  the  tip  of  the  shoulder  mounts  nearl}^  to 
the  left  ear,  while  the  whole  left  side  of  the  face  is  in  the  condi- 
tion of  facial  spasm.  At  the  same  time  the  throat  constricts,  and 
the  jaws  are  set  in  a  complete  trismus.  She  can  now  neither 
speak  nor  eat,  though  suffering  little  pain.  She  is  often  obliged 
to  have  her  food,  in  the  form  of  soup,  administered  through  an 
opening  in  the  mouth  produced  by  a  former  extraction  of  a 
molar  tooth. 

' '  These  daily  attacks  often  continue  three  or  four  hours.  They 
come  on  suddenly.  Sensibility  on  left  side,  at  times  anaesthetic, 
at  times  hyperaesthetic.  The  phenomenon  of  transfert  may  at 
any  time  be  produced.  Left  eye  amblyopic  and  achromatopsic. 
Left  side  of  tongue  has  no  sensation  of  taste.  In  short,  the 
complete  sensitivo-sensorial  anaesthesia  described  by  Charcot 
exists.  Dynamometer,  during  attack,  left  hand,  5  ;  right  hand, 
36;   out  of  attack,  left  hand,  25  ;  right  band,  36. 

"  Treatment. — December  29th.  Insulation,  positive  charge  for 
half  hour,  sparks  to  left  side  ;  transfert  soon  effected.  Decem- 
ber 30th.  Same.  December  31st.  Now  no  limp  in  left  leg, 
while  the  arm  also  is  more  manageable.  The  daily  facial  spasm 
and  trismus  has  not  returned.  Normal  sensation  on  left  side, 
with  the  excei)tion  of  a  numb  area  over  the  deltoid  and  on  the 
dorsal  aspect  of  the  forearm.  Dynamometer,  left  hand,  38  ;  right 
hand,  40.  January  4th.  But  one  attack  now  for  four  days. 
Treatment  same.  Januarv  7th.  No  further  attacks ;  only  re- 
maining trouble  is  a  slight  stiffness  about  the  neck,  and  a 
tendency  to  blepharospasm.  Appetite  excellent.  Januar}^  Sth. 
Slight  attack  of  facial  spasm.  January  13th.  Says  she  is  per- 
fectly well.  Treatment,  insulation  and  sparks  to  spine.  Janu- 
ary 15th.  A  slight  twitching  about  the  right  eye;  this  is  the 
first  motor  trouble  on  this  side.  January  i6th.  Again  a  slight 
attack ;  left  side  of  face  feels  stiff,  and  its  muscles  are  a  little 


1 18  Electricity  axd  Electrical  Apparatus. 

drawn.  These  symptoms  can  always  be  relieved  by  pressure  on 
the  facial  nerve.  January  23rd.  One  severe  attack.  Face 
much  d'awn,  and  stiff.  Left  side  very  anagsthetic,  and  cold  to 
the  touch.  Temperature,  surface  of  left  arm,  75 ;  right 
arm,  88.  Insulation  for  twenty  minutes.  Oscillations  of  tem- 
perature and  sensibility  first  took  place,  with  finallv  transfert  of 
anaesthesia  to  the  right  side,  followed  by  hyperesthesia  in  the 
left.  The  temperature  was  now  stationary  at,  left  ai^m,  95  ; 
right  arm,  90.  January  37th.  With  daily  insulations,  and  sparks 
to  the  spine,  all  signs  of  attack  seem  now  to  have  ceased. 
March  2d.  The  patient  has  been  under  treatment  during  Febru- 
ary, with  but  now  and  then  the  slightest  admonitions  that  she  is 
not  yet  completely  cured.  But  the  great  change  in  her  condi- 
tion, from  three  to  foui'  hours  of  helplessness  to  almost  complete 
health,  justifies  this  much  abbreviated  report  of  her  case. 

"  Case  III. — December  2d  1S80.     Miss  C ,  twenty-three 

years  of  age.  Muscular  rheumatism.  vSubject  to  rheumatism 
for  ten  years.  Began  with  an  attack  of  acute  articular  rheuma- 
tism. Scarcely  a  week  during  the  last  five  years  but  she  has 
felt  pain  in  some  part  of  her;  frequently  as  a  "  stiff  neck;" 
had  sciatica  for  one  year,  and  w^alked  with  a  cane. 

''Present  condition  began  eight  months  ago,  though  worse 
during  last  few  weeks.  Has  pain  and  feels  stiff  in  the  neck, 
back,  legs  and  arms.  Every  movement  occasions  great  pain. 
She  is,  in  short,  crippled.  Each  morning  she  must  be  raised 
from  bed,  but  in  several  hours  she  is  able  to  get  about  better 
than  at  first. 

"  Treatment. — Positive  insulation,  and  slight  sparks.  Patient 
improved  with  each  day's  treatment.  December  6th.  All 
pains  had  disappeared,  and  patient  for  the  first  time  in  many 
months  walked  freely.  December  7th.  After  over-walking, 
suffered  again  from  a  moderate  general  lameness  in  the  muscles. 
December  loth.  Every  vestige  of  pain  disappeared.  Appetite 
much  improved.  Though  s  )  well,  patient  was  so  fearful  of  a 
return  of  pain  that  she  continued  treatment  up  to  January  7th, 
when  she  discontinued  it,  satisfied  that  the  cure  was  absolute. 
Up  to  date,  nearly  two  months  ago,  no  return  has  occurred.  No 
other  treatment  was  used.  A  number  of  cases  of  rheumatism 
may  be  alluded  to  very  briefly. 

"Case  IV. — December   15th,     Mrs.   B ,  thirty-four  years 

of  age.  Pain  in  both  shoulders  to  such  extent  that  she  never 
raised  the  arms  ;  deltoids  and  trapezei  chiefly  affected  ;  also  pain 
in  right  hand  ;  this  condition  existing  very  steadily  for  three  years. 

"  Treatment. — Insulation  and  sparks  ;  one  application.  Pain 
has  never  returned. 

"Case  V. — December  6th.     Mrs.  J.  B.  F .     After  sitting 


Electric  ty  and  Electrical  Apparatus.  i  i9 

in  the  draft  from  a  window  one  year  ago,  pains  began  in  the 
right  arm  and  shoulder.  At  present  does  not  raise  her  arm  on 
account  of  pain  in  the  slioulder-joint.  Has  also  pain  in  the 
wrist  and  in  the  joints  of  the  fingers,  some  days  in  one  joint, 
some  days  in  another.  The  arm  feels  'woolly,'  i.  e. ,  anaes- 
thetic, and  heavy.  Insulation  and  sparks.  Complete  relief  in 
twenty  minutes,  with  no  return  to  date. 

"Case  VI. — Mr.  U .  Chronic  rheumatic  pains  and  stiff- 
ness in  both  shoulders.  During  the  entire  winter  it  has  been 
impossible  for  him  either  to  raise  the  arms  at  the  shoulders  or  put 
them  behind  his  back. 

'■'•Treatment. — Insulation  and  two  inch  spaiks.  To  the  pa- 
tient's great  surprise,  he  was  able,  after  five  minutes'  application 
of  the  sparks,  to  throw  his  arms  about  freely  in  every  conceiva- 
ble direction.  No  pain  or  impairment  of  motion  remained. 
The  result  was  surprising  also  to  a  number  of  physicians  who 
were  present. 

"Case  VII. — December  31st,   1S80,  Miss  R ,  twenty-two 

years  of  age.  Pain  in  the  left  biceps;  also  in  elevator  muscles 
of  left  scapula.  Unable  to  use  left  arm,  and  suffering  much  with 
it  during  the  last  month. 

'■'•Treatment. — Insulation  and  sparks.  Relieved  by  the  first 
application  of  every  vestige  of  pain,  and  enabled  to  use  the  arm 
freely.  No  return  to  date.  It  would  be  wearisome  and  needless 
to  quote  more  of  these  cases  from  my  record-book.  I  have 
known  no  instance  of  failure  to  completely  relieve  in  from  one 
to  ten  insulations  all  cases  of  muscular  rheumatism.  Lumbago 
of  long  standing  seems  to  require  patience  for  one,  and,  to  ensure 
entire  recovery,  perhaps  two  weeks. 

A  single  instance  of  sciatica  and  cruralgia  will  sufBce  for  all. 

"Case  VIII.— December  nth,  iSSo.  Mr.  H ,  twenty- 
eight  years  of  age.  Begun  three  years  ago.  vSubject  to  severe 
attacks  of  shooting,  throbbing  pain  in  hip,  thigh  and  extending 
to  the  toe,  lasting  generally  three  or  four  weeks.  He  walks  lame, 
seldom  sleeps  more  than  an  hour  at  a  time  during  the  night  with- 
out waking  up  in  pain.  During  the  last  week,  in  addition  to  a 
painful  sciatica,  he  has  had  great  pain  in  the  line  of  the  anteiior 
crural  nerve,  extending  as  far  as  the  inside  of  the  knee.  Medi- 
cines and  a  great  variety  of  liniments  have  given  no  relief. 

'■'■Treatment. — Insulation  and  very  severe  sparks  (three 
inches),  since  patient  was  perfectly  willing  to  take  them.  Decem- 
ber I2th  (next  day).  Patient  reports  that  he  had  had  no  pain 
since  leaving  the  ofiice,  that  he  slept  weil,  and  now  walks  with- 
out lameness.     Up  to  date  no  return  of  trouble. 

"Case  IX. — BelPs  Paralysis,  right  side. — Mr.  F ,  medical 

student,  twenty  years  of  age.     Referred  to    me  by  Dr.  Ham- 


I2P  Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus. 

mond.  January  ist,  1881.  Patient,  after  walking  m  a  very  cold 
wind  on  December  19th,  noticed  the  next  morning  that  his  face 
drew  to  the  left  side.  The  next  day  be  could  not  close  the  right 
eye,  and  on  examination  found  that  the  whole  right  side  of  his 
face  was  paralyzed.  Faradic  electricity  and  strychnia  had  been 
used  up  to  January  ist,  with  no  effect.  He  accordingly  wished 
to  try  the  static  electricity.  At  the  time  of  beginning  treatment 
there  was  no  possible  voluntary  motion  on  the  part  of  the  mus- 
cles supplied  by  the  facial  nerve.  Water  ran  out  of  his  mouth, 
and  food  lodged  between  the  cheek  and  teeth. 

'•'■Treatment. — Each  muscle  was  singled  out  and  treated  by 
sparks,  and  also  the  trunk  of  the  facial  nerve. 

The  patient  writes:  'After  the  third  insulation  there  was  a 
marked  improvement  in  some  of  the  muscles  each  day,  and  after 
the  seventh  my  face  was  entirely  straight.' 

"Case  X. — BelVs  Paralysis. — January  7th,  18S1.     Mrs.  A. 

-. ,    aged    forty.       Absolute    right    facial     paralysis,    of    two 

months'  standing  (untreated).  Right  eye  open  and  staring  and 
inuch  inflamed ;  saliva  flowing  from  right  angle  of  mouth,  and 
other  symptoms  usually  seen  in  these  severe  cases. 

'•'"Treatment. — Insulation  and  sparks.  January  8th.  Can 
now  very  nearly  close  the  eye.  January  9th.  Buccinator  less 
flabby ;  eye  closes.  January  14th.  At  the  end  of  the  seventh 
application  all  the  paralyzed  muscles  had  recovered  their  proper 
action  with  the  single  exception  of  the  occipito-frontalis.  I  con- 
tinued treatment  two  weeks  longer,  hoping  to  restore  this  mus- 
cle, but  was  unable  to  do  so.  Its  nerve-supply  is  appa'^ently 
irreparably  injured,  owing  probably  to  the  two  months'  neglect 
in  treatment. 

"Case  XI. — Pressure  Paralysis. — Mr.  A.  D .    One  week 

previously  went  to  sleep  with  his  arm  thrown  over  the  back  of 
chair.  On  waking  up  found  his  arm  paralyzed  ;  it  was  numb, 
heavy,  and  pricking,  as  if  asleep  ;  he  could  not  hold  objects  in 
his  hand.  To  tests  of  sensibility  there  was  anaesthesia ;  dyna- 
mometer, right  hand,  five  ;  left  hand,  sixty. 

'■'•Treatment. — Insulation  and  sparks.  After  the  fifth  applica- 
tion  the  arm  was  cured. 

"Case  XII. — ProgressiveLoco7notor  Ataxia. — The  early  diag- 
nosis of  locomotor  ataxia  carries  with  it  a  promise  of  cure 
directly  in  ratio  to  the  accuracy  of  the  diagnosis  and  the  imme- 
diate application  of  remedial  measures.  November  34th,  iSSo. 
Mr.  A.  L ,  aged  sixty.  During  the  last  year  patient  de- 
scribes very  accurately  the  symptoms  common  to  pre-ataxic  or 
neuralgic  stage  of  locomotor  acaxia.  He  is  now  just  entering 
upon  the  ataxic  stage.  Present  condition:  shooting,  stabbing 
pains  in  the  legs,  occurring  in  paroxysms,  particularly  preceding 


Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus-  121 

changes  in  the  weather.  The  same  pains  sometimes  occur  in  the 
arms.  Patient  often  rolls  in  agony  on  his  bed  during  a  paroxj'sm 
of  several  hours,  and  though  a  strong  man,  the  pain  is  such  as 
to  bring  tears  to  his  eyes.  No  spot  in  his  legs  seems  to  be  free 
from  these  pains,  though  they  are  worst  in  the  thighs  and  great 
toes.  The  exclusion  of  simple  sciatip  pain  was  clear,  especially 
as  the  affection  is  bilateral.  The  patellar  tendon  reflex  is  abso- 
lutely abolished  at  the  left  knee,  and  but  a  very  weak  response 
can  be  evoked  at  the  right.  The  vesical  and  rectal  reflexes  are 
also  much  diminished.  Urination  and  defecation  are  both  slowly 
accomplished  and  difficult.  Sexual  power  is  absolutely  abol- 
ished. No  strabismus  or  ptosis,  but  diplopia  has  existed  for 
two  years.  The  reaction  of  the  pupillary  reflexes  is  diminished  ; 
carefully  tested  in  shade  and  light  they  showed  but  little  nor- 
mal response.  The  patient  seems  to  be  just  entering  upon  the 
ataxic  stage,  for  he  walks  with  a  heavy  cane,  complains  that  he 
does  not  feel  the  ground  well,  particularly  on  the  sole  of  the  left 
foot;  cannot  walk  in  the  dark  without  retaining  his  hold  on  the 
wall  or  banisters,  and  exhibits  the  usual  swaying  with  closed 
eyes. 

"The  whole  group  of  symptoms,  fulgurating,  bilateral  pains, 
abolished  reflexes,  and  ataxia,  render  the  diagnosis  of  locomotor 
ataxia  perfectly  clear. 

"I  found  the  patient  in  a  paroxysm,  and  prescribed  the  usual 
remedies,  proposing  that  the  next  day  he  should  begin  treatment 
by  electricity. 

"  Treatment. — The  treatment  was  simple  and  offers  little  vari- 
ety in  the  records.  It  was  insulation  and  heavy  sparks  from  the 
spine,  continued  daily,  from  November  34th  to  December  23d, 
in  all  twenty-two  applications.  The  pains  disappeared  at  the 
end  of  the  tenth  application.  The  patient  returned  to  his  home 
cured  of  his  ataxia  and  of  his  pain. 

"In  a  note  written  ten  days  ago,  nearly  two  months  and  a  half 
since  his  return  home,  he  says:  'I  now  walk  perfectly  well,  and 
have  had  no  pains,  not  even  a  twinge,  since  my  return  home.' 

"With  these  few  cases  briefly  synopsized,  I  leave  this  part  of 
the  subject. 

"I  am  well  aware  of  the  value  of  statistics,  and  shall  take  occa- 
sion to  collect  them  as  soon  as  is  possible.  For  the  present  I  am 
obliged  to  select  from  the  records  of  private  practice  only  a  few 
typical  cases  of  a  form  of  ireatment  which  I  have  only  lately  em- 
ployed. 

'■'•First. — Static  electricity  as  a  curative  agent  in  medicine  may 
fairly  be  placed  on  a  level  with  galvanism  and  faradism.  In 
certain  diseased  conditions  it  is  superior  to  either.  Cases  I.,  II., 
III.,  etc. 


122  Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus. 

"By  insulation  and  sparks,  paralyzed  muscles  and  nei-ves  are 
stimulated  just  as  by  induced  currents. 

'•''Second. — The  main  objections  to  static  electricity  are  based 
upon  the  inconvenience,  the  working  uncertainties  of  the  appa- 
ratus, and  the  difficulty  of  measuring  and  controlling  the  electric- 
ity administered. 

'•These  objections  fail  to  have  weight  with  the  use  of  a  modern 
improved  Holtz  machine,  and  a  proper  electrometer. 

^'- Third.  Insulation  and  sparks,  both  or  either,  more  notably 
sparks,  relieve  cutaneous  anaesthesia  more  quickly  than  galvan- 
ism or  faradism.  In  hemiphlegia  with  organic  lesion,  numbness 
and  aucesthesia  is  at  once  relieved  by  this  treatment. 

'•'■pourth.  Decided  motor  improvement  may  be  obtained  in 
hemiphlegia  of  long  standing.  The  dragging  of  the  toe,  the 
tread  on  the  outer  side  of  the  foot,  the  outer  swing  to  the  leg, 
the  rigidity  at  the  knee,  elbow  and  shoulder,  may  all  be  to  a  very 
apparent  degi"ee  and  often  entirely  removed. 

"The  contracture  at  the  wrist  and  fingers  is  incurable. 

'•'•Fifth.  In  paraplegia  and  systemic  diseases  of  the  spinal  cord 
in  general,  there  is  every  reason  to  expect  that  by  means  of 
long  and  strong  sparks  to  the  spine  that  results  not  now  attaina- 
ble may  be  reached.      Case  XL 

"A  distinguished  and  careful  observer,  familiar  with  the  treat- 
ment by  sparks,  thinks  that  'patients  suffering  from  paraplegia 
who  are  now  benefited  by  the  constant  current  were  previously 
cured  bv  static  electricity.' 

'"''Sixth.  In  the  sense  that  medicines  are  tonic,  the  positive 
electrical  insulation  is  tonic. 

'•'•Seventh.  Statical  electricity  by  insulation  and  sparks  is  prin- 
cipally useful  in  conditions  of  paralysis,  spasm,  and  neuralgia, 
and  pre-eminently  in  subacute  and  chronic  rheumatic  affections, 
whether  tendinous,  facial,  or  muscular. 

'•'•Eighth.  Static  electricity  cures  disease,  as  other  forms  of 
electricity  do,  by  stimulations  of  nerves  and  muscles,  organs,  and 
nerves  of  special  sense.  It  likewise  cures,  by  aid  of  the  spai'k, 
in  virtue  of  a  sharp,  deep,  mechanical  agitation  of  the  diseased 
tissue,  acting  in  this  instance  like  physical  exercise  and  massage, 
by  causing  alteration  of  nutrition. 

"But  above  and  beyond  these  methods  of  curative  action  is  the 
principle,  as  lately  established  by  Brovvn-Sequard,  of  reflex 
action  in  remote  parts  by  peripheral  irritation  of  the  terminal 
distribution  of  the  sensory  nei"ves.  In  electrification  by  insula- 
tion electricity  of  high  tension  is  actively  accumulating  on  and 
beneath  the  skin,  i.  <?. ,  the  nerve  distribution,  and  as  actively 
discharging :  the  effects  of  static  electricity  are  then  in  this  in- 
stance produced  from  the  periphery ;  and,  owing  to  the  fact  that 


Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus.  133 

the  electrification  is  general  and  the  tension  high,  no  other  form 
of  electricity  offers  equal  promise  in  the  treatment  of  diseases 
or  conditions  that  can  be  affected  either  in  a  sedative  or  stimula- 
ting manner  from  the  general  peripheral  nerve-distribution.  The 
recent  experiments  of  Brown-Sequard  lead  us  to  believe  that 
many  diseases  may  be  thus  acted  upon. 

''Ninth.  The  invention  by  the  author  of  a  method  of  obtain- 
mg  an  mterrupted  static  induction  current  from  a  frictional  elec- 
trical machine  adds  to  medical  electricity  a  new^  and  practical 
means  of  electrical  treatment.  This  current  is  more  agreeable 
m  Its  administration  than  ordinary  induction  currents.  Both 
nerves  and  muscles  are  stimulated  by  it  to  a  higher  degree  than 
IS  possible  by  means  of  any  other  hiduction  current  now  in  use, 
and  a  corresponding  advance  in  the  efficacy  of  electrical  thera- 
peutics in  these  two  directions  may  be  confidently  expected. 

"The  new  current,  furthermore,  greatly  enlarges  the  scope  of 
statical  electrical  machines  in  medicine  by  combining  in  a  single 
machine  all  the  advantages  both  of  static  and  induction  elec- 
tricity." 

These  observations  all  refer  to  experiments  with  machines  al- 
ready described.  On  the  following  page.  Fig.  33,  we  present 
an  illustration  of  a  new  static  machine,  and  in  connection  with 
its  description  instructions  for  its  use  are  given,  which,  upon  the 
whole,  do  not  differ  much  from  the  methods  already  described. 
The  positive  and  negative  are  a  little  more  clearly  pointed  out, 
and  the  manner  of  insulation  and  drawing  sparks  presented  in  a 
little  different  style.  This  variety  detracts  nothing  ;  in  fact  it  is 
a  real  addition,  for  some  will  prefer  one  method,  while  others 
will  adhere  to  another.  Indeed,  the  same  practitioner  will  be 
entertained,  and  his  practice  will  be  better  sometimes,  by  the 
adoption  of  different  methods  in  these  experiments. 

ATKINSON'S  TOPLER  ELECTRIC  MACHINE. 


The  machine  we  here  illustrate  and  describe  is  Prof.  P.  Atkin- 
son's Topler  Electric  Machine,  referred  to  by  Dr.  Romaine  J. 
Curtiss,  on  page  no. 

This  machine  is  manufactured  and  patented  by  P.  Atkinson, 
A.  M.,  16S  Randolph  Street,  Chicago,  111.,  and  we  can  recom- 
mend it  from  actual  experience.  In  fact,  it  gives  us  pleasure  to 
present  an  illustration  and  description  of  such  a  valuable  instru- 


134 


Electricity   and    Electrical   Apparatus. 


ment.     Prof.  Atkinson  clearly  describes   this  machine,  and    de- 
tails its  mode  of  action,  as  follows: 


Fig.  33. 

"  This  machine  is  constructed  with  two  glass  plates  ;  "the  back 
plate  B,  stationary,  and  supported  by  hard  rubber  insulators, 
while  the  front  plate  A,  placed  at  a  distance  of  about  |  inch 
from  it,  revolves  in  the  direction  of  the  arrow,  on  an  axis  attached 
to  the  post  at  M,  through  an  opening  in  the  centre  of  the  plate  B. 

"  To  the  plate  B  are  attached  the  brushes  E  and  F,  and  the 
tin-foil  and  paper  inductors  T  and  X. 


Electricity   and   Electrical  Apparatus.  125 

"In  front  of  the  plate  A,  ^  inch  from  the  glass,  are  the  unin- 
sulated combs  V  and  H,  with  their  brushes;  and  the  insulated 
combs  K  and  L,  connected  with  the  Leyden  jars  C  and  D,  and 
the  sliding  rods  P  and  R.  V  and  H  are  screwed  to  a  brass  coi-e 
at  the  centre  of  the  hard  rubber  disc  M. 

"  To  the  plate  A  are  attached  the  six  discs,  or  carriers,  two  of 
which  are  seen  at  W  and  Z. 

"  These  parts,  with  a  driving  wheel  and  belt,  mounted  on  a 
base,  constitute  the  points  of  resemblance  between  this  machine 
and  others  of  the  same  class.  The  points  of  difference,  covered 
by  patent,  are  as  follows : 

"  I.  The  outside  coatings  of  the  Leyden  jars  C  and  D  are  of 
sheet  brass,  nickel  plated,  and  are  screwed  firmly  to  the  base, 
forming  cups  into  which  the  jars  fit  closely,  and  are  thus  held  in 
a  fixed  position,  affording  a  firm  support  to  the  parts  connected 
with  them,  and  preventing  liability  to  accident  or  injury  to  the 
jars  or  plates. 

"3.  Tiie  induced  current  from  these  outside  coatings  is  con- 
veyed down  by  the  brass  screws  which  attach  them,  and  along 
copper  wires  underneath  to  the  terminals  of  the  switch  S, 
through  which,  when  closed,  it  passes  from  one  jar  to  the  other; 
but  when  open,  as  in  the  cut,  it  passes  by  the  brass  sockets,  seen 
on  the  edge,  which  are  also  connected  with  the  terminals,  out 
through  the  conducting  cords,  and  a  person,  or  other  object,  con- 
nected with  their  outer  extremities.  As  this  induced  current 
flows  simultaneously  with  the  direct  current  from  the  inside 
coatings,  the  switch  and  sliding  rods  place  it  completely  under 
control  of  the  operator^  either  for  medical  or  scientific  purposes. 
With  the  switch  open,  a  slight  separation  of  the  electrodes  or  dis- 
charging rods  P  and  R,  produces  a  smooth,  gentle  current ;  this 
may  be  increased  to  any  desired  strength,  a  separation  of  ^  inch 
producing  a  current  too  severe  for  the  sti'ongest  nerves.  Geissler 
tubes,  attached  to  the  cords,  show  the  beautiful  effects  of  the  in- 
terrupted current.  Also  the  induced  spark  below,  simultaneous 
with  the  direct  spark  above,  is  shown  when  the  switch  is  open 
about  ^  inch,  as  in  cut. 

"  3.  The  brush  holders  E  and  F  are  attached  to  the  plate  B, 
through  holes  near  its  edge  ;  thus  giving  a  direct  passage  to  the 
electricity  from  the  carriers  on  the  plate  A,  where  it  is  generated, 
through  the  glass,  to  the  tin-foil  inductors,  represented  by  the 
dark  shade,  and  the  paper  inductors  T  and  X,  represented  by  the 
light  shade.  By  passing  the  electric  charge  through  the  glass^ 
inside  its  edge^  an  insulating  margin  is  interposed  between  the 
conductors  and  the  edge,  thus  preventing  loss  from  leakage, 
which  is  unavoidable  when  the  brush  holders  are  attached  by 
clamps  or  ears  on  the  edge. 


136  Electricity   and    Electrical  Apparatus. 

"  4.  The  carriers  on  the  plate  A  are  of  sheet  brass,  with  raised 
centres,  and  nickel  plated,  making  them  both  durable  and  orna- 
mental. The  hard  nickel  surface  is  not  affected  by  the  action 
of  the  brushes,  or  the  electricity,  while  tin-foil  soon  becomes 
defaced  ;  and  the  carrier,  being  practically  one  piece,  and  its 
entire  surface  cemented  to  the  glass,  its  raised  centre  cannot  be- 
come detached,  as  may  happen  when  the  centre  is  put  on  sepa- 
rately over  a  tin-foil  base. 

"  5.  The  combs  V  and  K,  also  H  and  L,  radiate  at  an  angle  of 
45  degrees  to  each  other,  from  the  central  disc  M,  to  which  they 
are  attached ;  so  that  any  possibility  of  error  in  regard  to  their 
position,  or  of  displacement,  is  practically  impossible. 
"  The  following  improvements  may  also  be  noticed:  — 
"  The  base  is  made  of  two-inch  strips,  glued  together  length- 
ways, and  heavy  cleats  screwed  on  underneath ;  giving  ail  the 
advantages  of  iron  as  to  freedom  from  warping,  with  the  insula- 
tion and  elegant  finish  of  the  wood. 

"  The  iron  casting,  on  which  the  driving  wheel  is  mounted, 
slides  in  grooves  on  an  iron  plate,  and  is  moved  by  the  adjust- 
ing screw  O,  to  tighten  or  loosen  the  belt. 

"The  hard  rubber  insulators,  which  support  the  plate  B, 
have  soft  rubber  packing,  to  ease  the  pressure  on  the  glass. 

"The  Leyden  jars  C  and  D,  have  wooden  caps,  with  cork 
attached,  making  a  neat  ornamental  cap,  and  affording  a  firm 
support  to  the  brass  conducting  rods  which  support  the  sliding 
rods  P  and  R,  and  the  combs  K  and  L. 

.  "The  machine,  as  here  described,  has  only  two  plates;  but 
the  number  is  not  limited;  four  or  more  plates  may  be  used  if 
desired,  but  better  results  have  been  obtained  by  increasing  the 
size,  rather  than  the  number,  of  the  plates.  Plates  16  and  18 
inches  diameter,  respectively,  make  a  very  efficient  machine ; 
plates  35  and  38  inches  diameter,  as  on  the  machine  furnished  to 
Prof.  Pitzer,  make  one  of  great  energy ;  and  the  smoothness  of 
the  induced  current  is  \ery  perceptible  in  machines  of  large  size. 
"The  energy  of  the  discharge  depends  chiefly  on  the  size  of 
the  Leyden  jars,  as  increased  size  gives  increased  storage,  and 
consequently,  greater  energy  and  less  rapidity  of  discharge. 

" //j  Mode  oj"  Action.  —  To  comprehend  the  action  of  any 
electric  generator,  the  following  essential  principles  in  their  con- 
struction should  be  kept  distinctly  in  view: 

"  To  generate  electricity,  is  to  create  a  difference  of  electric 
potential ;  the  efficiency  of  all  generators,  whether  batteries, 
dynamos,  or  glass  plate  machines,  depending  on  the  difference 
of  potential  which  each  is  able  to  create  and  maintain  within  the 
apparatus  itself.  And  the  work  to  be  done  by  such  an  appara- 
tus is  the  restoration  of  equilibrium,  through  an  exterior  circuit; 


Electricity   and    Electrical   Apparatus.  i2«7 

and  may  consist  in  producing  heat,  light,  chemical,  mechanical, 
or  physiological  action. 

"  Let  us  consider  how  these  principles  apply  to  this  machine. 

"  It  will  be  seen,  from  the  cut,  that  as  the  plate  A  revolves, 
the  raised  centres  of  the  six  carriers  are  brought  in  contact  with 
the  wire  brushes  attached  to  the  holders  E  and  F,  each  opposite 
pair  touching  opposite  brushes,  successively,  at  the  same  instant. 

"  The  friction  generates  electricity,  which  diffuses  itself  over 
the  carriers  on  A,  and  the  inductors  on  B,  with  which  they  are, 
at  the  instant  of  contact,  in  electric  connnection.  The  potential 
of  carrier  and  inductor,  during  contact,  will  be  the  same  ;  at  the 
next  instant  the  carrier  passes  on,  and  is  insulated  from  the  in- 
ductor, and  carrier  and  inductor  now  act  inductively  on  each 
other,  and  multiply  the  initial  charge  given  by  the  friction  of 
contact.  As  it  accumulates  it  spreads  over  the  paper  inductors  ; 
these  act  on  the  opposite  surfaces  of  the  glass,  till  both  surfaces 
of  both  plates  become  charged ;  the  initial  charge  being  still 
continued  by  the  constant  friction  of  the  carriers  "and  brushes. 

"But,  since  both  sides  of  the  machine  are  of  precisely  similar 
construction,  and  since  the  mode  of  action  on  both  sides  is  ap- 
parently the  same,  the  question  arises,  how  any  difference  of 
potential,  or  electric  charge  can  be  accounted  for. 

"  At  first,  it  will  be  noticed,  that  the  position  of  the  plates  be- 
ing vertical,  their  lower  halves  are  nearer  to  the  earth,  by  their 
semi-diameter,  than  the  upper  halves,  and  consequently  more 
under  the  influence  of  its  inductive  action,  by  the  square  of  that 
distance.  A  horizontal,  or  any  other  position,  would  not  pre- 
vent this  result;  it  could  only  be  done  by  placing  them  between 
two  worlds  of  equal  size,  and  equally  distant  from  both. 

"  The  lower  halves  are  also  in  close  proximity  to  the  Leyden 
jars,  the  driving  wheel,  and  the  belt,  and  subject  to  their  induc- 
tive influence  ;  and  the  plate  B,  is  supported  below  on  two  hard 
rubber  insulators,  while  the  upper  half  has  but  one,  and  hence 
has  the  advantage  of  the  better  insulation  of  the  air. 

"  To  this  lower  half  of  B,  and  subject  to  these  influences,  is  at- 
tached the  brush  holder  F,  while  E  is  attached  to  the  upper  half, 
and  remote  from  them.  Hence  the  carriers  brushed  by  E,  and 
descending  towards  L,  must  acquire  a  higher  potential  than 
those  brushed  by  F,  and  ascending  towards  K. 

"An  accumulation  of  electricity  must  also  occur  at  the  lower 
ends  of  the  inductors  T  and  X,  from  the  inductive  influence  of 
the  earth  ;  and  as  the  brush  holder  F,  is  placed  at  the  lower  end 
of  X,  it  furnishes  an  outlet  to  a  portion  of  this  charge,  as  seen 
at  night  by  the  brushes  of  light  from  this  holder  to  the  outside 
of  the  jar  C,  and  other  parts  in  close  proximity. 

"The   lower   end  of  T,  on   the   contrary,  is  well    insulated; 


128  Electricity   and    Electricai.  Apparatus. 

hence,  the  potential  of  T,  from  the  heavier  charge  at  its  upper 
end,  and  the  better  insulation  at  its  lower  end,  must  be  much 
higher  than  that  of  X,  where  the  influences  are  just  the  reverse. 

"This  accumulation,  or  high  positive  potential  at  the  lower 
end  of  T,  must  produce  a  high  negative  potential  at  that  point 
on  the  plate  A,  and  its  carriers,  as  it  revolves  ;  and  this  is  shown 
by  the  brush  of  light  marking  the  flow  of  electricity  to  the 
plate  from  the  uninsulated  comb  H;  the  outflow  of  the  current 
received  through  V  from  the  opposite  side  and  upper  half  of  A. 
This  brush  of  light  extends  upward,  as  the  charge  increases,  al- 
most to  the  comb  L,  showing  the  high  negative  condition  of  the 
plate  and  carriers,  after  having  parted  with  their  electricity 
through  L  to  the  jar  D. 

"And  here  let  it  be  noted,  that  a  brush  of  light  between 
comb  and  plate  would  have  the  same  appearance  whether  the 
flow  were  fronii^omb  to  plate,  or  from  plate  to  comb.  Hence, 
a  similar  brush  extends  upward  from  the  comb  L,  as  the  plate 
and  carriers  descend  charged  from  E,  and  give  off  their  elec- 
tricity to  L. 

"Following  any  opposite  pair  of  carriers,  as  W  and  Z,  we 
find  that  as  Z  passes  under  the  brush  F,  W  passes  under'E  ;  and 
us  Z  moves  on  to  the  insulated  comb  K,  W  at  the  same  instant 
arrives  at  L;  but  W,  as  already  shown,  has  a  higher  potential 
than  Z,  and,  at  this  point,  a  peculiar  adjustment  takes  place.  W 
gives  up  its  charge  through  the  comb  L,  to  the  inside  of  the 
Leyden  jar  D.  This  creates  a  positi\'e  charge^^n  the  inside  of 
D,  which  induces  a  negative  charge  on  its  outside.  Tlie  elec- 
tricity thus  repelled,  passes  to  the  outside  of  C,  making  it  posi- 
tive, and  inducing  negative  on  its  inside  ;  and  this  repelled  elec- 
tricity flows  through  the  comb  K  to  the  carrier  Z.  Z  then  passes 
on  with  a  positive  charge  to  the  uninsulated  comb  V,  while  W, 
having  become  negative,  as  previously  shown,  arrives  at  H. 
Each  now  passes  under  the  wire  brush  attached  to  its  respective 
comb,  and  the  combs  being  attached  to  the  brass  core  at  the 
centre  of  M,  the  carriers  are  put  in  electric  connection  with  each 
other,  and  their  potential  equalized  by  the  flow  of  electricity 
from  V  to  H  ;  so  that  each  arrives  at  the  original  position  of 
the  other  at  the  same  potential,  ready  to  repeat  the  same 
process. 

"  Tlie  combs  K  and  V,  L  and  H,  have  also  performed  the 
same  oflice  for  the  several  sections  of  the  plate  A,  as  it  has" 
passed  them  ;  so  that  the  section  from  V  to  E  is  now  at  the  same 
potential  from  centre  to  circumference,  as  the  section  from  H  to 
F  ;  each  section  having,  like  the  carriers,  performed  its  work  on 
the  Leyden  jars. 

"  The  section  from  R  to  H  having  given  up  electricity,  has 


Electricity   and   Electrical  Apparatus.  129 

become  negative,  while  that  from  K  to  V,  having  received  elec- 
tricity, has  become  positive. 

"This  positive  potential  on  the  front  surface  of  A,  at  this 
point,  induces  negative  potential  on  its  corresponding  back  sur- 
face ;  positive  on  the  front  of  B,  and  negative  on  the  back  and 
on  the  inductor  X.  In  the  same  way,  but  in  reverse  order,  simi- 
lar conditions  occur  on  the  opposite  side. 

"  It  will  thus  be  seen,  that  while  the  brushes  F  and  E  act  as 
generators,  the  brushes  V  and  H  act  as  dischargers ;  and  while 
the  combs  K  and  L  create  a  difference  of  potential  in  the  jars, 
the  combs  V  and  H,  like  their  brushes,  discharge,  and  restore 
equilibrium. 

"  When  the  difference  of  potential  between  the  inner  coatings 
of  the  jars  becomes  sufficient  to  overcome  the  resistance  of  the 
air,  a  discharge  from  the  inner. coating  of  D  to  that  of  C  takes 
place  through  the  sliding,  electro.des  or  discharging  rods,  R  and 
P;  and,  at  the  same  instant,  a  discharge  from  the  outer  coatings 
takes  place  through  the  switch  and  connections,  from  C  to  D, 
to  restore  equilibrium  between  them,  and  thus  complete  the 
circuit. 

"A  spark  and  snap,  from  the  resistance  of  the  air,  accom- 
panies the  discharge  between  the  inner  coatings  ;  and  the  same 
will  occurbetween  the  outer  coatings  if  the  switch  is  open;  but 
if  closed,  the  discharge  takes  place  silently.  The  phites  and 
other  parts  being,  at  the  same  instant,  relieved  of  strain,  there 
is  a  restoration  of  equilibrium  in  the  whole  machine. 

"The  above  explanation  applies  to  the  machine  when  it  is 
put  in  operation  from  a  state  of  absolute  rest ;  but  when  it  is  in 
a  high  state  of  activity,  there  frequently  recurs  a  reversal  of 
potential  after  a  discharge,  as  shown  by  the  reversal  of  the 
brushes  of  light  from  the  combs.  To  account  for  this  it  must 
be  considered,  that  after  the  primary  discharge  a  residual  still 
remains  ;  this,  from  unequal  resistance,  may  be  greater  on  one 
side  than  the  other,  and  after  being  relieved  from  strain  by  the 
primary  discharge,  will  operate  to  give  a  slight  preponderance 
of  potential  to  that  side,  which  is  rapidly  multiplied  by  induc- 
tion, as  the  rotation  of  the  plate  continues. 

"  A  reversal  can  also  be  produced  by  touching  the  inductors, 
or  parts  connected  with  them,  while  in  action,  which  would 
reduce  the  potential  at  that  point.  Special  conditions  may  also 
exist  in  certain  machines,  which  will  leverse  the  ordinary  mode 
of  action ;  as,  for  instance,  a  difference  of  thickness  on  oppo- 
site sides  of  a  glass  plate  ;  or  in  opposite  jars. 

"  The  condition  of  the  air,  as  to  its  insulation,  influences  the 
whole  operation  of  this  machine.  An  air  space  insulates  the 
plates,  and  also  the  jars,  with  their  rods  and  balls,  from  each 


130  Electricity   and   Electrical  Apparatus. 

other;  and  as  a  damp  atmosphere  lessens  this  insulation,  it  will 
decrease  the  energy  of  the  machine  in  like  proportion.  A  film 
of  moisture,  settling  on  the  plates,  will  often  so  reduce  the  insu- 
lation, that  the  slight  initial  charge  by  the  action  of  the  brushes 
is  conducted  over,  the  damp  surface  as  fast  as  it  is  generated ; 
so  that  no  difference  of  potential,  and  consequently  no  charge, 
can  occur.  And  as  the  machine  is  miich  more  sensitive  to  such 
influences  than  the  operator,  the  latter  is  often  puzzled  to  know 
why  it  will  not  generate.  The  simple  and  effectual  remedy,  in 
all  such  cases,  is  to  dry  it.  This  may  be  done  by  a  fire,  a  kero- 
sene lamp,  a  hot  iron,  or  the  sun's  heat,  though  artificial  heat  is 
generally  more  effectual. 

"Bright,  warm,  sunny  days,  before  or  after  rain,  when  the 
atmosphere  is  loaded  with  moisture,  are  the  most  unfavorable. 
At  such  times  the  plates  should  not  only  be  dried,  but  warmed, 
as  moisture  will  continue  to  be  deposited  so  long  as  they  are 
colder  than  the  air. 

"From  this  it  is  easy  to  see  why  a  Holtz  machine  is  so  much 
more  liable  to  stoppage  than  a  Topler ;  as  the  Holtz  receives 
only  a  small  initial  charge,  which  is  then  discontinued,  while 
that  of  the  Topler  is  constant,  from  the  continuous  action  of  the 
carriers  and  brushes :  so  that  a  well  constructed  Topler  is  per- 
fectly reliable  in  any  kind  of  weather. 

"The  views  here  given  are  not  mere  theory,  or  hasty  deduc- 
tions from  imperfect  data.  They  are  the  result  of  constant, 
daily  experiment  and  observation,  for  several  years,  with  both 
Holtz  and  Topler  machines,  of  almost  every  conceivable  style, 
size  and  variety,  including  a  large  number  of  the  very  best 
machines  in  use." 

On  page  100,  is  illustrated  and  described  a  static  machine 
furnished  by  James  W.  Queen  &  Qp.  While  this  is  a  good 
machine,  and  does  good  and  satisfactory  work,  the  Atkinson 
machine,  for  working  purposes,  is  just  as  good,  more  powerful 
because  larger,  and  is  far  more  durable,  less  trouble  to  keep 
properly  adjusted,  and,  all  in  all,  gives  perfect  satisfaction. 

In  practice,  we  handle  this  machine  and  make  the  applications 
almost  the  same  as  with  the  Queen  machine.  The  most  im- 
portant difference  is  shown  in  the  switch  between  the  Leyden 
jars.  This,  as  seen  in  the  cut,  is  placed  between  the  Leyden 
jars  and  in  connection  with  their  outer  coatings,  so  that  the  in- 
duced current  between  them  is  controlled  by  the  operator.  As 
this  current  flows  at  the  same  instant  with  the  discharge  between 
the   sliding  electrodes,   or  discharging  rods,  connected  with   the 


Electricity   and    Electrical   Apparatus.  "  131 

inner   coatings,    it  is  only  necessary  to  separate  them  to  obtain 
the  interrupted  induced  current,  similar  to  the  Faradic. 

In  connection  with  the  switch  are  seen  cable  cords  and  elec- 
trodes, which  may  be  held  by  insulated  handles  and  applied  to 
any  part  of  the  body.  Opening  the  switch  changes  the  current 
to  the  cords  and  electrodes,  and  on  separating  the  slidmg  elec- 
trodes, or  discharging  I'ods,  the  Faradic  effect  is  at  once  pro- 
duced, which  may  be  varied  from  the  slightest  tremor  to  the 
most  violent  muscular  twitchings,  by  moving  these  rods.  A 
sejoaration  of  i-i6th  inch  produces  a  mild,  pleasant  sensation, 
^  to  J  inch  becomes  painful,  while  a  separation  of  i  to  f  inch 
can  hardly  be  borne  by  the  strongest  nei*ves. 

P.ositive  or  Negative  Alone. — When  the  switch  is  closed  and 
the  sliding  electrodes,  or  discharging  rods,  are  drawn  out  beyond 
sparking  distance,  positive  or  negative  electricity  alone  can  be 
administered,  by  making  connection  with  the  ball  which  sur- 
mounts the  positive  or  negative  jar.  The  ball  surmounting  the 
jar  next  the  driving  wheel  in  this  machine  is  negative,  and  the 
other  positive.  In  the  Queen  machine,  this  is  reversed,  because 
the  plate  revolves  "in  an  opposite  direction. 

Insulathtg  the  Patient. — This  is  done  on  a  platform  having 
feet  of  hard  rubber,  glass  or  porcelain.  Seated  on  this  plat- 
form, the  patient  can  receive  a  full,  condensed  charge,  positive 
or  negative,  as  desired,  by  making  connection  with  the  ball 
which  surmounts  either  the  positive  or  negative  jar.  This 
charge  may  be  allowed  to  escape  silently  into  the  air,  or  be 
drawn  off  gradually  by  points,  or  the  hand,  or  by  sparks. 

In  order  to  charge  an  insulated  patient  readily  and  to  reple- 
tion, it  is  necessary,  as  with  the  Leyden  jar,  to  have  some 
inductive  connection  between  positive  and  negative.  Placino- 
the  opposite  electrode  on  the  floor,  while  the  patient  holds  the 
other,  is  good  enough  ;  or  the  operator  may  hold  near  the  pa- 
tient, by  an  insulating  handle,  a  large  sponge  attached  to  the  op- 
posite electrode,  and  a  strong  effect  is  produced.  This  should 
not  be  held  so  close  to  the  patient  as  to  draw  a  spark.  Twelve 
inches  distant  is  safe.  This  is  known  as  the  electric  bath.,  and 
is  quite  agreeable  and  refreshing  to  the  patient.  After  the 
patient  has  been  sitting  ten  or  fifteen  minutes,  the  machine  still 


'3^ 


Electricity    and    Electrical   Apparatus. 


running,  the  imperfect  inductive  connection  may  be  exchanged 
for  a  connection  with  the  earth,  by  attaching  a  brass  chain,  or 
£able  cord  to  a  gas  pipe  or  other  metallic  substance,  leading  tc 
the  earth.  Now,  a  metallic  electrode  attached  to  this  brass 
chain,  or  cable  cord,  and  held  near  the  patient,  will  draw  sparks. 

To  be  sure,  sparks  would  fly  if  we  should  hold  an  electrode 
close  to  the  subject  while  it  was  connected  with  the  ball  sur- 
mounting the  opposite  jar,  but  this  is  not  so  good  as  using  an 
earth  connection.  We  find  it  profitable  to  vary  these  experiments. 
The  static  induced  current  is  far  preferable  to  sparks  in  some 
cases ;   in  others,  sparks  are  actually  required. 

Static  electricity  is  rapidly  coming  into  use,  and  is  regarded 
as  one  of  the  most  valuable  forms  of  this  force  by  the  leading 
medical  men  of  this  country  and  Europe.  We  are  glad  to  be 
able  to  contribute  something  to  this  branch  of  medical  science. 

ELECTRODES   ILLUSTRATED. 


These  electrodes  are  constructed  for  experiments  and  practice 
with  static  machines.  Illustration  13,  on  page  124,  represents 
a  patient  seated  upon  an  insulated  platform,  which  is  con- 
nected with  the  prime  conductor  on  the  right  of  the  static 
machine  by  means  of  a  brass  chain.  Another  brass  chain  is 
connected  with  the  prime  conductor  on  the  left,  is  then  hooked 
to  a  round  brass  ball  electrode,  supported  by  a  glass  handle,  and 
held  in  the  right  hand  of  the  operator.  The  instrument  held  in  the 
left  hand  of  the  operator  is  a  chain  holder,  illustrated  on  page  125 
over  Nos.  o  and  3.  Now  if  the  discharging  rods  of  the  machine 
are  separated  considerably,  and  the  revolving  plate  put  in  mo- 
tion by  turning  the  crank,  the  brass  ball  electrode  held  near  the 
body  of  the  subject  will  draw  sparks.  The  nearer  the  body  the 
more  frequent  the  sparks,  and  the  further  away  the  more  power- 
ful the  disturbance.  In  such  a  case  as  this  the  insulating  plat- 
form is  not  necessary,  for  if  the  patient  will  take  one  chain  in 
the  hand,  while  standing  on  the  floor  or  sitting  in  a  common 
chair,  and  the  brass  ball  electrode  be  pointed  at  him,  sparks  will 
fly  all   the   same.     But  unless  both   conducting  chains  are  at- 


Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus.  133 

tached  to  iDrime  conductors,  or  one  connected  with  a  prime  con- 
ductor and  the  other  with  the  outer  metal  of  the  Leyden  jar,  the 
patient  must  be  insulated,  and  the  orass  ball  electrode  should  be 
connected  with  some  metallic  substance  connected  with  the 
earth — a  gas-pipe,  for  example. 

13 


■^C.CiiftWMKl, 


The  illustrations  over  Nos.  i,  2,  o  and  3,  on  next  page,  repre- 
sent one  pair  of  sponges  and  handles  well  insulated  for  the  in- 
duced static  current ;  a  large  glass  ball  electrode,  supported  by 
a  glass  handle  ;  a  small  brass  ball  electrode,  chain  holder  and 
sharp  pointed  electrode. 

The  illustration  over  No.  4  on  page  135  represents  Morton's 
spark  electrode. 

The  illustrations  over  Nos.  5,  8,  9,  10  and  11  on  page  126 
represent  different  forms  of  electrodes  used  with  the  static  ma- 
chine, and  which  have  been  referred  to  in  previous  pages. 


134 


Electricity  and  Electricai>  Apparatus. 


These  illustrations  are  from  electro-plates  furnished  by  James 
W.  Queen  &  Co.,  Phila.  We  have  a  full  supply  of  all  these 
instruments,  and  take  great  pleasure  in  exhibiting  them  to  physi- 


No.  1. 


No.  2. 


Nos.  0  and  3. 


cians  who  are  sufficiently  interested  in  electro-physics  and  elec- 
tro-therapeutics to  give  us  a  call.  While  handling  these  instru- 
ments actually  furnishes  us  with  first  class  amusement,  this 
entertaining  feature  of  electricity  is  the  ver}^  smallest  part  to  be 


considered.  In  point  of  real  therapeutic  value,  no  agent  in  exist- 
ence can  take  the  place  of  electricity  in  thousands  of  cases. 
What  is  required  is  careful   observation,  study  and  practice,  an<^ 


Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus.  135 


Ho.  5.  No.  8.  No.  9.  No.  10.  No.  U- 

we  may  afford  relief  and  actually  cure  many  stubborn  cases  of 
disease  that  have  heretofbre  baffled  the  skill  of  the  wisest  physi- 
cians of  all  ages. 

These  observations  and  clinical  experiences  should  be  suffi- 
cient to  enable  any  intelligent  physician  to  ap^oly  static  electricity 
when  it  needed. 

STATIC  ELECTRICITY  AND    OZONE. 


When  a  static  electric  machine  is  in  action  and  sparks  are  pro- 
duced, a  peculiar  odor  is  perceived  in  the  room  ;  this  results 
from  the  conversion  of  a  portion  of  the  oxygen  of  the  atmos- 
phere into  ozone,  just  what  takes  place  in  the  heavens  during  a 
thunder  storm.  No  uneasiness  need  be  suffered  on  account  of 
any  bad  i^esults  that  might  come  from  this  peculiar  odor,  for  its 
tendency  is  to  purify  the  surrounding  atmosphere,  drive  away 
infection,  brace  up  and  really  invigorate  those  who  inhale  it.  If 
used  for  no  other  purpose,  a  static  electric  machine  in  a  house, 
where  it  is  operated  more  or  less  daily,  is  worth  all  it  costs  for 
the  generation  of  ozone  as  a  sanitary  measure. 


136  Electricity  ax.o  Electrical  Apparatus. 

THE  ELECTRO-MAGNET  IN  EYE  SURGERY 


For  the  pui'pose  of  removing  small  particles  of  iron  or  steel 
from  the  eye,  where  they  are  on  tlie  conjunctiva  or  imbedded  in 
it,  or  even  where  they  penetrate  the  coats  of  the  eyeball,  the 
electro-magnet  is  of  inestimable  sendee.  Such  cases  really  be- 
long to  eye  surgery,  but  general  practitioners  are  frequently 
called  upon  by  men  who  work  in  foundries,  manufactories,  nail 
and  chain  shops,  to  have  "motes"  taken  from  their  eyes,  and 
it  is  very  convenient  for  both  parties  if  we  happen  to  be  pre- 
pared to  render  the  sei'vice  required.  Some  of  these  cases  are 
very  simple,  and  the  foreign  substances  may  be  removed  readiJii 


Fig.  32. 


wi5"h  common  forceps,  or  wiped  off  with  any  blunt  instrument. 
Other  cases,  however,  may  give  us  much  trouble.  The  iron  or 
steel  scales  may  adhere  so  tenaciously  to  the  tissues,  and  be  so 
situated,  that  their  removal  with  ordinary  instruments  inay  be 
impossible  ;  at  least  we  may  be  unable  to  remove  them  without 
doing  great  violence  to  the  eye.  It  is  in  such  cases  as  these  that 
the  electro-magnet  serves  a  better  purpose  than  anything  else. 

The  prniciple  upon  which  this  operating  instrument  is  con- 
sti'ucted  is  this :  A  piece  of  soft  iron  is  conveniently  shaped 
into  an  electrode,  and  before  we  operate  with  it,  and  zvhile  ivc 
are  operating^  this  instrument  is  included  in  a  galvanic  circuit, 
and  thus  converted  into  a  temporary  but  powerful  magnet. 
While  in  a  magnetic  condition  thi<;  electrode  is  placed  upon  the 


Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus.  ^37 

offending  scale  of  iron  or  steel,  which  adheres  to  the  magnet,  is 
readily  dislodged,  and  easily  removed  from  the  eye  by  simply 
withdrawing  the  magnetic  electrode. 

Fig.  33  represents  a  practical  instrument  for  the  purposes 
named.  It  was  designed  and  put  into  operation  by  Prof.  J.  O. 
Stillson,  M.  D.,  of  Evansville,  Ind.,  who  has  used  it  very  suc- 
cessfully in  many  instances.  We  have  had  our  instrment-maker 
make  us  one  of  these  electro. magnets  for  our  own  use,  and  its 
capacity  for  lifting  metals  is  simply  wonderful.  Small  metalic 
objects  are  drawn  from  quite  a  distance  by  it. 

This  electrode,  or  operating  instrument  proper,  as  seen  in  the 
above  illustration,  consists  of  a  rod  of  soft  iron  one-half  inch  in 
diameter  and  three  inches  long,  terminating  in  a  screw-head  or 
socket,  to  which  may  be  joined  at  pleasure  either  a  straight  or 
curved  point;  and  for  convenience  of  manipulation,  several  of 
different  sizes  and  styles  of  point  applicable  to  the  various  emer- 
gencies likely  to  arise  may  be  used  with  this  instrument.  Two 
are  shown  in  our  illustration.  For  small  particles  upon  the 
coi'nea,  unless  deeply  imbedded,  a  blunt  point,  having  a  flattened 
bulbous  termination,  will  be  found  most  suitable. 

When  contact  is  effected  between  the  foreign  body  and  the 
point  of  the  magnet,  a  distinct  tone  or  metallic  noise  is  heard, 
faint,  to  be  sure,  but  readily  perceptible,  t.id  generally  the 
larger  the  body  the  more  distinctly  the  sound. 

Cases  Reported  by  Prof.  y.  O.  Stillson. — "I. — R.  N.,  aged 
26,  smith.  While  working  at  his  anvil  in  attempting  to  cut  a 
piece  of  cold  iron,  received  a  wound  in  the  right  eye,  caused  by 
a  sliver  of  steel  from  the  chisel. 

"  When  I  first  saw  the  patient  there  was  a  corneal  wound  in 
the  upper  portion  of  the  low  and  outer  quadrant.  The  wound 
was  of  a  linear  character,  about  one-sixteenth  iiich  long,  and 
from  without  and  downwards,  upwards  and  inwards. 

"  Anterior  chamber  full,  and  by  oblique  illumination  a  slender 
piece  of  metal  was  observed  occupying  the  lower  and  outer  por- 
tion of  the  bottom  of  the  anterior  chamber. 

"  Patient  said  that  piece  had  stuck  in  the  eye,  and  some  fel- 
low workmen  had  attempted  to  remove  it  with  a  silk  handker- 
chief, thereby  pushing  it  into  the  eye. 

"  My  first  impulse  was  to  make  an  irridectomy,  as  the  foreign 
body  was  visible  and  as  the  corneal  wound  was  scarcely  per- 
vious,  but   as  the  accident  was  so  recent,  I  felt  justifiable  in 


138  Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus. 

attempting  removal    ^vithout   harming   the    iris,    and   therefore 
selected  the  magnet  as  the  best  means. 

"  Having  chlorofoimed  the  patient,  who  was  extremely  ner- 
vous and  unruly,  I  enlarged  the  wound  somewhat  with  the  point 
of  a  Graefe's  knife,  permittmg  the  aqueous  to  escape.  I  next 
nitroduced  the  curved  point  of  the  magnet  barely  within  the 
chamber  and  towards  the  sharp  end  of  the  sliver,  which  was 
lying  downwards. 

''Presentlv  the  point  of  the  sliver  approached  and  attached 
itself  to  the  magnet,  the  contact  being  plainly  felt,  but  no  sound 
heard.  The  instrument  was  slowly  withdrawn,  and  when  the 
point  of  the  foreign  body  was  well  through  the  cornea,  it  was 
seized  with  a  pair  of  forceps  and  withdrawn. 

"  The  subsequent  treatment  consisted  of  atropine,  etc.;  and 
with  slight  iritis  and  very  little  corneal  trouble,  the  patient  made 
a  good  recovery,  leaving  a  slight  cicatrix  in  the  cornea  at  the 
site  of  the  wound,  but  no  prolapsus  of  iris. 

"  Case  II. — March  15,  1S81,  J.  B.,  aged  22,  file-maker,  pre- 
sented himself  for  treatment  twenty-four  days  after  accident. 

"Upon  examination  found  corneal  wound  one-eighth  inch 
long,  slightly  above  pupil.  Aqueous  cloudy ;  iris  adhered  to 
capsule  in  upper  outer  quadrant;  remainder  of  pupil  dilatable 
with  atropine,  showing  lens  in  state  of  swelling  and  nearly 
opaque,  translucent,  with  body  visible  at  lower  margin  of  uppei 
edge  of  pupil ;  iris  apparently  transfixed,  but  point  of  foreign 
body,  to  which  iris  adheres,  not  perceptible  from  above.  Upon 
widely  dilating  the  pupil  the  iris  adheres  by  a  mere  thread. 
Ansesthetic,  ether  :  tension  of  eyeball  greatly  exalted  ;  puncture 
in  cornea  made  with  a  lance-shaped  knife  ;  aqueous  ejected  from 
chamber  with  great  force.  Oblique  illumination  reveals  situa- 
tion of  foreign  body.  Introduction  of  magnetic  needle  no  effect 
upon  the  foreign  body  until  magnet  was  made  to  touch  it,  where- 
upon a  slight  sound  perceptible.  Upon  attempting  to  withdraw 
magnet,  contact  broken,  body  remains. 

"  Second  attempt  also  unsuccessful;  but  upon  making  third 
attempt  the  adhesion  gave  way,  and  the  removal  was  effected  as 
in  the  preceding  case,  the  last  part  being  facilitated  with  the 
use  of  the  forceps." 

.Other  interesting  cases  of  a  similar  character  are  reported  by 
Prof.  Stillson,  but  these  are  sufficient  for  illustration.  That  this 
is  a  practical  device  may  be  seen  at  a  glance,  and  it  w^ill  be  found 
exceedingly  useful  to  the  general  practitioner,  especially  if  he 
happens  to  be  located  near  manufactories  or  foundries.  Where 
simply  upon  the  conjunctiva  metallic  substances  are  removed 
almost  instantaneously  with  this  instrument.  * 


Electrici'^y  and  Elkctrical  x\pparatus. 


1.39 


Any  style  of  galvanic  battery  may  be  used  with  this  instru-- 
ment,  so  it  gives  a  current  strong  enough  to  magnetize  the  soft 
lion  rod  of  the  electrode.  One  Bunsen  cell  is  amply  sufficient. 
But  if  we  have  a  Stohrer,  Mcintosh,  Bartlett,  or  any  of  the  gal- 
vanic batteries  in  common  use,  we  can  attach  this  electrode  to  any 
of  them,  and  from  four  to  six  cells  will  be  sufficient  to  operate 
this  electro-magnetic  electrode  with  entire  satisfaction. 

ELECTRICITY  IN  SEXUAL  WEAKNESS  AND 
IMPOTENCY. 


Slight  sexual  disturbances,  and  conditions  bordering  upon  a 
total  loss  of  sexual  power,  are  frequently  met  with,  and  we 
occasionally  see  a  case  of  complete  impotency. 

Patients  suffering  from  sexual  weaknesses  behave  quite  differ- 
ently ;  in  fact,  the  conditions  are  very  unlike  in  most  cases,  and 
a  description  of  one  cannot  be  relied  upon  as  a  true  history  of 
another.  For  these  reasons  it  is  not  safe  to  prescribe  for  new 
cases  at  a  distance.  We  should  see  each  patient,  make  a 
careful  examination,  and  obtain  a  correct  histoi'y,  if  possible, 
before  we  prescribe.  And  in  the  majority  of  instances  we  want 
our  patients  of  this  class  under  cxir  immediate,  daily  observation. 
At  least  this  is  the  best  for  a  while — till  we  are  certain  a  cure  is  in 
progress,  and  that  the  treatment  can  be  carried  on  at  a  distance, 
at  their  homes,  as  well  as  with  us. 

Men,  young  and  old,  married  and  single,  come  to  us  com- 
plaining of  peculiar  troubles,  and  we  frequently  find  them  sr.l- 
ering  from  a  sexual  weakness  of  some  kind.  They  sometimes 
know  the  nature  of  their  trouble ;  occasionally  they  do  not. 
Some  have  not  the  same  keen  desire  for  sexual  intercourse  en- 
joyed in  former  days.  They  sometimes  fail  in  executing  or  com- 
pleting the  act  of  sexual  congress ;  or  they  are  over-sensitive, 
and  barely  come  in  sexual  contact  with  the  opposite  sex  when 
suddenly  an  imperfect,  unsatisfactory  orgasm  quickly  terminates 
the  intercourse,  the  virile  organ  at  once  becoming  flaccid  and 
totally  incapacitated  for  further  efforts  at  copulation.  In  some 
cases  an  erection  is  impossible. 

Some  of  these  joatients  complain  of  dull  headache,  suffer  from 


140  Electricity   and    Electrical   Apparatus. 

forgetfulness,  pain  in  the  back,  palpitation  o£  the  heart,  dyspep- 
sia, weak  or  dizzy  spells,  cold  hands  and  feet  at  certain  intervals, 
and  horrible  feelings  of  impending  danger  are  sometimes  suf- 
fered. Under  such  circumstances,  the  countenance  wears  an 
anxious  expression,  mixed  with  an  appearance  of  distress  and 
melancholy.  Tired  feelings,  loss  of  ambition,  drowsiness,  and 
yet  an  inability  to  sleep,  are  not  infrequent  symptoms  of  sexual 
disturbances. 

Now,  the  treatment  of  these  cases  should  engage  our  serious 
consideration.  Men  value  the  sexual  function  highly,  and  an 
impairment  of  this  kind,  especially  a  condition  approaching  a 
total  loss  of  power — impotency — not  infrequently  leads  good 
men  to  ruin.  They  are  apt  to  lose  all  interest  in  business,  fam- 
ily and  friends ;  are  likely  to  dissipate,  and  sometimes  are 
tempted  to  commit  suicide.  For  these  reasons,  and  knowing 
that  we  can,  in  so  many  cases,  completely  restore  these  patients, 
and  greatly  relieve  others,  we  urge  prompt,  radical  and  per- 
sistent treatment  in  every  case  of  this  kind  we  meet. 

So  far  as  relates  to  the  moral  and  medical  treatment  of  this 
class  of  cases,  our  literature  is  abundant.  Rest,  abstinence, 
temperance  in  all  things,  and  the  judicious  use  of  coca,  strych- 
nia, phosphorus,  and  sometimes  the  bromides,  are  the  princi- 
pal means  recommended.  But  in  the  judicious  use  of  electricity, 
in  the  proper  form,  and  rightly  adapted  to  each  case,  we  have 
one  of  the  most  important,  if  not  the  very  best  therapeutic 
measure  now  available,  in  all  cases  of  sexual  weakness  and  im- 
potency in  the  male.  But  it  must  be  used  with  judgment,  and 
applied  with  a  skilled  hand.  Accidental  cures  may  be  wrought 
by  the  empirical  use  of  electricity,  but,  while  this  may  be  the 
case,  we  should  remember  that  great  harm  may  result  in  other 
cases  by  its  unskillful  application.  Where  its  judicious  em- 
ployment does  not  radically  cure.,  it  frequently  helps  materially, 
and  by  the  aid  of  other  remedies  many  excellent  cures  are 
made. 

The  proper  use  of  electricity,  the  particular  form  and  current 
to  employ  in  each  case  of  sexual  weakness,  and  how  to  apply 
them  as  material  and  radical  means  of  cure  in  this  class  of 
diseases    are  the  principal  ahns  of  this  chapter. 


Electricity   and    Electrical  Apparatus.  141 

Upon  this  subject,  Wm.  F.  Hutchinson,  M.  D.,  of  Provi- 
dence, R.  I.,  in  the  New  England  Medical  Monthly^  gives  us 
some  practical  suggestions,  as  follows: 

"  Electricity  has  been  employed  for  a  long  time  in  these  cases, 
until  quite  lately  by  charlatans  alone,  and  even  in  their  hands 
has  yielded  good  results.  It  is  to  call  attention  to  a  few  points, 
which  are  perhaps  novel  in  the  application  of  the  currents 
to  the  generative  organs,  that  this  article  is  written,  although 
the  long  preamble  might  easily  have  led  to  another  opinion. 
Early  hi  my  special  study  of  electro-therapeutics,  in  1S74,  the 
idea  occurred  to  me  that  faradisra  could  be  applied  to  the  male 
generative  organs  in  a  better  way  than  by  manipulation  with 
rheophores  or  the  electric  brush.  I  therefore  devised  a  special 
electrode,  in  the  shape  of  a  cylinder  of  metal,  within  which 
plays  a  piston,  the  rod  of  which  is  surrounded  by  a  weak  spiral 
spring,  bearing  upon  the  inside  of  the  closed  end  of  the  cylinder. 
Resting  upon  the  piston  is  a  pad  of  surgeon's  sponge.  The 
tubes  are  made  of  different  diameters,  varying  from  |  to  2  inches 
— and  from  3J  to  five  inches  in  length,  and  during  the  operation 
surround  the  penis,  the  sponge  pad,  moistened  with  salt  water, 
pressing  against  the  glans.  The  current  should  be  exceedingly 
fine  faradism,  i.  e.,  of  rapid  interruption,  of  high  tension,  and 
fair  quantity.  In  other  words,  it  should  be  as  strong  as  the  pa- 
tient can  bear  without  pain  and  without  shocks.  Applied  in  this 
way,  with  a  large  negative  sponge  electrode  at  the  back,  under 
the  lumbar  vertebrae,  the  patient  comfortably  recumbent,  the  re- 
sult is  a  strong  stimulation  of  those  branches  of  the  sacral  plexus 
composing  the  genito-urinary  tract,  and  a  corresponding  increase 
in  muscle  nutrition.  The  penis  becomes  turgid,  the  dartos  con- 
tracted, and  a  close  watch  must  be  kept  upon  the  patient,  lest, 
by  continuing  the  application  too  long,  an  emission  be  produced. 
By  discontinumg  the  current  after  five  minutes,  or  by  increasing 
the  electro-motive  force  until  it  becomes  painful,  this  result  may 
be  avoided.  By  a  steady  persistence  for  several  months  in  this 
form  of  treatment,  I  have  succeeded  in  rescuing  several  patients 
from  that  worse  than  death  to  a  sensitive  man  —  a  life  of  lost 
manhood.     The  applications  should  be  made  daily. 

"In  cases  of  nocturnal  emissions,  a  directly  contrary  course 
must  be  pursued,  since  the  conditions  are  opposite,  at  least  in  a 
certain  sense.  There  is  as  yet  no  loss  of  virile  power  —  there  is 
an  intense  hyperaesthesia  of  the  genito-urinary  tract,  which  re- 
quires no  stimulus,  which  is  directly  injured  by  it.  No  tonics, 
beyond  the  general  ones  of  out-door  exercise  and  plentiful  food, 
can  be  depended  upon  ;  for  they  tend  to  aggrayate  the  irriration 
of  the  excited  nerve  centers.     For  this  reason,  faradism  is  inad- 


142 


Electricity    and   Electrical  Apparatus. 


missible.  I  think  that  far  more  injury  than  good  has  followed 
its  use,  and  abandoned  it  wholly  in  my  own  practice  in  these 
cases  several  years  since.  In  its  place  I  use  galvanism,  derived 
from  a  battery  of  low  tension  —  some  modification  of  Daniell's 
element.  It  is  applied  by  a  Newman's  urethral  electrode,  with 
olive  tip  large  enough  to  gently  distend  the  urethra.  This  is 
passed  into  the  bladder,  and  the  circuit  completed  through  a 
hand  electrode,  when  it  is  slowly  withdrawn,  the  whole  opera- 
tion lasting  about  one  minute.  If  the  slightest  pain  is  expe- 
rienced, the  current  is  too  strong,  and  should  be  modified  until 
only  a  sensation  of  warmth  is  perceived.  This  operation  should 
be  repeated  daily  for  several  weeks,  and  has  been,  in  my  practice, 
productive  of  the  happiest  results.  One  case,  now  under  treat- 
ment, in  the  eighth  week,  reports  emissions  reduced  from  three 
or  four  weekly  to  one  in  eight  or  ten  days." 

Dr.  C.  L.  Dana,  one  of  the  leading  neurologists  and  electricians 
of  New  York  City,  in  the  Medical  Record  furnishes  us  with  the 
following  pi'actical  points : 

"  We  have,  I  think,  in  electricity,  an  agent  by  which  direct  se- 
dation of  the  over-irritrdole  nerve-centers  can  be  obtained.  In  a 
case  of  irritable  sexual  weakness  with  premature  emissions,  the 
patient  after  a  few  applications  of  my  spinal  electrode  was 
greatly  improved,  though  electricity  had  been  tried  before  for  a 
long  time  in  vain. 

"  I  have  here  a  special  appliance  for  the  treatment  of  sexual 
nerve-weakness.  It  was  devised  by  Clemens,  of  Frankford,  and 
was  used  upon  a  most  obstinate  case  of  impotence,  a  case  which 
had  been  in  the  hands  of  many  prominent  neurologists  of  New 
York.  The  patient  rapidly  recovered,  and  is  now  a  new  man. 
This,  which  I  know  to  be  a  fact,  is  my  excuse  for  showing  the 
apparatus,  which  apparently  has  a  good  deal  of  hocus-pocus 
about  it. 

''It  consists  of  a  zinc  cylinder,  made  to  enclose  the  penis, 
with  a  funnel  attached,  so  that  it  can  be  filled  with  Rhine  wine 
or  weak  alcohol.  The  positive  pole  is  connected  with  it,  and 
the  negative  pole,  which  is  attached  to  a  very  large  electrode,  is 
placed  over  the  spine.  It  is  to  be  used  three  times  a  day  for  five 
or  six  minutes,  a  current  of  five  to  eight  cells  being  employed. 
It  is  supplemented  with  a  set  of  magnetic  apparatus  which  seems 
to  be  of  subsidiary  importance.  There  is  no  doubt  that  the 
patient  gets  the  sedative  effects  of  the  galvanic  current  very 
thoroughly.  I  am  at  present  treating  a  case  with  it.  The  pa- 
tient, who  is  a  very  intelligent  man,  in  fact  a  doctor  himself,  was 
very  decidedly  improved,  and  is  indeed  now  almost  well." 


Electricitv   and    Electrical  Apparatus. 


i'43 


These  appliances,  as  described  and  used  by  Drs.  Hutchinson 
and  Dana,  are  certainly  effective.  We  have  not  used  their  exact 
pattern,  but  have  a  similar  device  that,  in  some  respects,  we  pre- 
fer to  then-s.  We  like  the  results  of  its  use  very  much  There 
IS  something-yes,  I  will  say  there  is  a  great  deal,  in  properly 
localizing  electrical  treatment.  '      i       ^ 

^  Prof.  Wm.  A.  Hammond,  M.  D.,  in  his  very  excellent  work, 
Sexual  Impotence  in  the  Male,"  makes  some  very  practical 
observations  regarding  the  use  of  electricity,  and  we  take  pleas- 
ure in  making  some  verbatim  quotations  from  his  work  A 
young  man,  the  first  morning  after  marriage,  called  upon  him,  in 
utter  despair,  with  the  information  that  he  was  impotent  : 

"Continual  questioning  led  to  the  information  that  his  desire 
had  been  moderately  great,  but  that  his  sexual  powei  lad  been 
utterly  vvanting.  There  had  been  no  erection,  or  ^  approach  to 
one,  and  the  result  was  that  after  manv  attemnf.  ?f-  '^1'^'°'^'^''  ^^ 
in  the  expectation  that  success  woulc  "i;tt'i:^r  he  effonf  1^^ 
desisted,  had  gone  to  sleep,  and  during  the  night  had  had  two 

.•::^f:^-\i^:^i^-  s^  v;z:tz^:^-^-z 

sexual   mtercourse  should  be   made    and  thnt  In     !    '^\  ,"'I'^'  P^ 


144  Electricity   and    Electrical  Apparatus. 

enjoined  the  use,  morning  and  night,  of  cold  baths,  with  friction 
of  the  whole  body  after  each  with  coarse  towels.  He  was  also 
to  walk  at  least  five  miles  every  day,  and  to  go  to  some  place  of 
amusement  of  a  cheerful  character  every  evening.  Internally 
his  food  was  to  be  of  a  highly  nutritious  character,  of  which  fat 
in  some  form  or  other,  preferably  cream,  was  to  constitute  a  large 
proportion.  His  dinner  was  to  be  taken  not  later  than  two 
o'clock,  and  a  couple  of  glasses  of  Burgundy  were  to  be  drunk 
with  it.  For  medicine  I  prescribed  the  following:  B.  Sodii 
bromidi,  s'l.  ;  pepsin  (Fairchild's),  pancreatin  (Fairchild's), 
aa  3  iss  ;  glycerine,  aqute,  aa  5  ii.  M.  Dose,  a  teaspoonful  in 
a  little  sugar  and  water  three  times  a  day  after  meals. 

"My  objects  in  giving  this  mixture  were  to  lessen  the  reflex 
and  automatic  excitability  of  the  genei'ative  system,  to  relieve  the 
cerebral  hyperaemia,  and  to  promote  the  digestion  of  food. 

"  At  bed-time  he  took  a  capsule  of  five  grains  of  the  mono- 
bromide  of  camphor. 

"  Every  morning  I  applied  statical  electricity  to  the  penis  and 
testicles,  and  to  the  whole  length  of  the  spinal  cord,  drawing 
inch  sparks  from  the  former  organs,  and  from  three  to  four  inch 
sparks  from  the  spine.  This  was  continued  for  about  fifteen 
minutes.  Though  painful  the  effect  was  all  that  could  be  de- 
sired:  the  blood-vessels  of  the  penis  became  visibly  distended, 
and  the  whole  organ  assumed  a  deeper  red  color  than  it  had 
possessed,  as  he  said,  within  his  recollection.  For  several  hours 
afterwards  a  warm  pleasant  glow  was  felt  in  the  penis  and 
scrotum. 

"  Tw'ice  a  week  I  applied  by  means  of  a  urethral  electrode  a 
galvanic  current  from  eight  cells  to  the  membranous  and  pro- 
static portions  of  the  urethra,  with  the  object  of  diminishing  the 
morbid  excitability. which  evidently  existed  in  those  parts.  I  may 
say  that  examination  with  the  sound  had  previously  demonstrated 
the  hypergesthectic  condition  of  the  parts  in  question.  I  had  at 
first  thought  of  cauterizing  them  with  Lallemand's  instrument, 
but  decided  upon  the  galvanism  as  being  the  less  painful  and 
equally  or  inore  efficacious.  In  very  severe  cases,  however, 
Lallemand's  procedure  is  preferable. 

"Under  this  system  of  treatment  the  general  health  of  the 
patient  began  to  improve  from  the  first.  The  nocturnal  emis- 
sions ceased  entirely  on  the  fifth  night.  On  the  first  night  he  had 
one,  but  without  a  dream  ;  on  the  second,  two  ;  on  the  third, 
none  ;  on  the  fourth,  one  ;  on  the  fifth,  none,  and  there  were  no 
more  while  he  was  under  iny  observation. 

"On  every  night  after  the  second  he  slept  from  six  to  eight 
hours,  and  in  the  morning  he  awoke  refreshed  and  cheerful.  On 
the  morning  of  the  eleventh  day  he  had  an  erection,  which,  how- 


Electricity   and    Electrical  Apparatus.  145 

ever,  was  due  to  a  distended  bladder,  but  which  nevertheless 
was  the  first  of  the  kind  he  had  experienced  for  several  years. 

"  On  the  fifteenth  night  he  had  a  lascivious  dream  in  which 
the  usual  images  did  not  appear,  or,  if  they  did — and  upon  re- 
flection he  was  a  little  doubtful  on  the  point — they  were  much 
less  distinct  than  they  had  been.  They  were  not  accompanied 
by  an  emission.  The  next  inorning  he  had  another  erection  accom- 
panied by  a  slight  desire,  and  every  morning  thereafter  while  he 
remained  under  my  care  he  had  an  erection,  sometimes  with  and 
sometimes  without  sexual  desire. 

"•  He  had  now  been  two  weeks  under  treatment,  and  the  gen- 
eral results  may  be  summed  up  as  follows: 

"  Sound  sleep  every  night. 

"  Freedom  from  pain  or  other  uncomfortable  feeling  in  the 
head. 

"  A  strong,  hearty  appetite,  with  good  gastric  and  intestinal 
digestion. 

"Cessation  of  the  nocturnal  emissions  and  of  the  lascivious 
dreams. 

"A  return  of  the  matutinal  erections,  and  of  normal  desire  in 
connection  with  them, 

"  Frequently  during  the  day  desire  with  erections.  These, 
however,  were  not  as  yet  strong,  and  I  continued  my  prohibition 
in  regard  to  attempts  at  intercourse. 

"  On  the  fifteenth  I  suspended  the  administration  of  the  bro- 
mide of  sodium,  continuing,  however,  the  mixture  with  the  other 
ingredients  unchanged  ;  and  in  addition  I  prescribed  the  follow- 
ing solution  :  R.  Strychnine  sulph.,  gr.  j ;  acidi  hypophos,  dil., 
§  j ;  M.  ft.  sol.  Dose,  ten  drops  three  times  a  day  before 
meals  in  a  teaspoonful  of  the  fluid  extract  of  coca. 

"  I  gave  this  mixture  for  the  reason  that  I  know  of  no  better 
tonic  for  the  sexual  organs,  after  the  abnormal  state  of  erethism 
into  which  they  gej:  by  abuse  has  been  relieved,  than  strychnia, 
hypophosphorous  acid  and  coca.  It  is  necessary,  however,  not 
to  give  it  iminediately  before  going  to  bed,  as  without  this  pre- 
caution it  may  produce  seminal  emissions. 

"  From  this  time  on  his  condition  continued  to  improve.  He 
had  gained  over  ten  pounds  in  weight,  was  getting  stronger  every 
day  and  more  cheerful,  and  altogether  more  normal  in  his  mind. 
His  erections  were  occasionally  tolerably  strong,  but,  as  a  rule, 
though  he  had  several  every  day  as  a  consequence  of  the  very 
vivid  desires  which  he  experienced,  they  were  not  yet  by  any 
means  of  natural  strength.  He  was  very  desirous  of  going  home, 
being  convinced  that  he  could  carry  on  all  the  treatment  but  tlic 
electric  as  well  there  as  in  New  York.  This  was  probably  true,  but 
as  I  attached  a  great  deal  of  importance  to  this  part  of  the  man- 


146  Electricity   and   Electrical   Apparatus. 

agement  of  the  case,  I  declined  to  give  my  consent.  He  had  now 
been  under  my  charge  twenty  days,  and  I  felt  confident  that  a  week 
or  two  longer  would  complete  the  cure.  On  the  night  of  the  twenty- 
first  day  his  wife  left  her  bed  and  got  into  his,  and  he,  in  disregard 
of  his  pledge,  attempted  intercourse,  and  with  a  measurable  degree 
of  success.  I  judged,  however,  that  the  emission  was  premature. 
The  next  morning  he  was  filled  with  remorse,  and  not  only  re- 
newed his  pledge,  but  promised,  in  addition,  that  his  wife  should 
go  home  and  prepare  the  house  for  his  return.  This,  however, 
was  not  what  I  wanted.  I  desired  her  presence,  under  restraint, 
as  a  constant  stimulus  to  him,  but  I  did  not  want  things  to  be 
carried  to  extremes  again  till  he  was  strong  enough  to  act  his 
part  in  a  physiological  manner.  There  were,  I  have  reason  to 
believe,  no  further  infractions  of  discipline.  On  the  night  of  the 
thirty-second  day  he  attempted  intercourse  with  my  partial  con- 
sent. I  knew  he  would  do  better  if  I  allowed  him  to  make  the 
attempt  with  seeming  reluctance  than  if  I  gave  him  full  liberty 
to  do  as  he  pleased.  In  sexual  matters,  as  in  many  others,  the 
desire  and  the  power  are  stronger  with  forbidden  fruit  than  with 
that  which  can  be  had  for  the  asking.  The  end  fully  justified 
the  means,  for  he  informed  me  the  next  morning,  with  great 
satisfaction,  that  I  was  over  careful  with  him,  and  that  he  be- 
lieved he  had  done  all  that  could  have  been  reasonably  expected 
of  him. 

"I  then  allowed  him  to  go  home,  but  continued  all  the  treat- 
ment, excepting  the  electricity  and  the  nightly  dose  of  the  mono- 
bromide  of  camphor.  I  thought  he  ought  to  continue  the  whole 
system,  with  the  exceptions  mentioned,  for  three  or  four  months. 

"And  I  warned  him  in  the  most  solemn  manner  that,  under 
no  circumstances,  was  he  to  have  sexual  intercourse  more  fre- 
quently than  once  a  week  for  at  least  a  year,  and  ])erhaps  even 
longer.  Alore  than  a  year  has  now  elapsed,  and  I  have  every 
reason  to  believe  that  he  has  strictly  followed  my  injunction. 
Rewrites  that  he  is  determined  not  to  go  beyond  the  limit  fixed, 
that  his  happiness  is  complete,  and  that  neither  he  nor  his  wife 
are  willing  to  exceed  those  moral  and  physiological  bonds  which 
nature  has  imposed;  that  she  is  pregnant,  and  that  they  both 
look  forward  to  the  birth  of  the  child  as  a  sign  that  God  has  for- 
given him  the  sins  and  indiscretions  of  his  youth." 

Regarding  the  use  of  electricity  in  cases  where  there  is  ab- 
sence of  the  power  of  erection,  under  the  heading  of  "  external 
remedies,"  we  quote  from  Dr.  Hnmmond  as  follows: 

'■'■  External  remedies. — First  among  these,  and  ranking  high 
in  the  list  of  remedies,  is  electricity. 

"  This  agent  is  employed  under  three  forms — Galvanism,  Far> 


Electricity   axd    Electricai,    Apparatus.  147 

adism,  and  Franklinism.  In  using  galvanism  the  only  rule  in 
regard  to  the  strength  of  the  current  is  to  bring  into  action  as 
many  cells  as  will  produce  a  decided  sense  of  discomfort  to  the 
patient.  The  electrodes  should  ordinarily  consist  of  wet  spono-es, 
and  the  application  should  be  made  to  the  spine,  the  perineum, 
the  testicles  through  the  scrotum,  and  the  penis. 

''  In  applying  the  current  to  the  spine,  the  whole  of  the  verte- 
bral column  may  be  embraced  within  the  circuit,  though  greater 
attention  should  be  given  to  the  lower  dorsal,  the  lumbar  and  the 
sacral  regions.  I  usually  first  apply  one  electrode — it  makes  no 
difference  which — to  the  nape  of  the  neck,  and  then  stroke  the 
back  over  the  spinous  processes  with  the  other  for  three  or  four 
minutes,  using  a  current  strong  enough  to  cause  a  considerable 
sensation  of  warmth  and  to  produce  redness  of  the  skin.  Then 
the  upper  electrode  is  placed  over  the  middle  of  the  dorsal  re- 
gion, and  the  other  moved  slowly  down  over  the  parts  below^  a 
dozen  times.  The  effect  of  the  application  is  rather  unpleasant, 
than  otherwise,  and  the  back  continues  to  feel  a  sensation  of 
warmth  for  an  hour  or  more  afterwards. 

''Then  one  electrode  is  placed  over  the  sacrum  and  the  other 
on  ihe  perineum,  and  both  are  kept  in  their  position  for  about  a 
minute.  A  current  of  somewhat  less  strength  will  be  advisable 
for  this  application,  as  the  patient  will  not  generally  endure  one 
so  strong  as  that  used  for  the  spine. 

"la  making  the  application  to  the  penis  externally,  one  elec- 
trode may  be  placed  on  the  perineum,  and  the  other  on  the 
glans,  the  latter  being  removed  every  five  or  ten  seconds,  or  the 
current  broken  by  the  arrangement  for  that  purpose  on  one  of 
the  electrodes.  Two  or  three  minutes  are  sufficient  for  this 
purpose. 

"It  is  sometimes  the  case  that  the  impotence  depends  in  a 
great  measure  on  an  ansesthetic  condition  not  only  of  the  glans 
but  of  the  whole  penis.  In  such  a  case  the  electrode  should  be 
passed  over  the  w  hole  organ,  and  the  strength  of  the  current 
should  be  such  as  to  cause  considerable  discomfort  if  not  actual 
pain. 

"  In  those  cases  in  which  nocturnal  emissions  are  frequent  and 
the  erethism  is  so  great  that  emissions  take  place  without  erec- 
tion or  on  slight  provocation,  it  is  sometimes  necessary,  to  apply 
the  electricity  to  the  interior  of  the  organ.  A  special  electrode 
is  necessary  for  the  purpose.  It  is  made  of  some  non-conduct- 
ing material,  except  at  the  very  extremity,  which  is  metallic  and 
is  in  connection  with  a  wire  running  through  the  instrument  and 
attached  to  one  of  the  conductors  leading  from  the  battery.  This 
electrode  is  introduced  into  the  urethra,  and  the  metallic  point 
brought  into  contact  with  the  orifices  of  the  seminal  ducts  or  to 


148  Electricity   and   Electrical   Apparatus. 

the  prostatic  portion  of  the  uretlira,  as  the  case  may  seem  to  re- 
quire. As  a  remedy  for  nocturnal  emissions  or  analogous 
conditions  it  is  far  superior  to  the  cauterization  recommended  by 
Lallemand,  and  far  less  painful. 

"  The  application  of  galvanism  in  this  manner  is  also  ex- 
tremely useful  in  cases  of  nervous  exhaustion,  or  in  paralysis  of 
the  erector  muscles  of  the  penis,  the  accelerator  urinae,  etc.  In 
this  internal  use,  the  other  pole — the  sponge  electrode — should 
be  applied  to  the  perineum,  the  sacrum  or  the  pubis,  or  alter- 
nately to  each  of  these  regions,  so  as  to  send  a  current  through 
the  penis  in  all  directions.  The  strength  of  the  current  need 
rarely  exceed  that  from  four  or  six  Leclanche  cells,  and  it  re- 
quires to  be  frequently  interrupted  to  avoid  too  great  a  degree 
of  irritation. 

"  In  applying  galvanism  to  the  testicles,  care  should  be  taken 
to  provide  that  the  current  be  not  too  strong,  that  from  four  or 
six  cells  being  generally  amply  sufficient.  Very  intense  currents 
cause  a  good  deal  of  pain  and  may  induce  syncope,  an  accident 
which  has  occurred  in  my  own  experience.  But  the  beneficial 
effects  of  this  use  of  the  agent  are  often  very  decided,  even  after 
the  organs  have  begun  to  become  soft  and  to  enter  upon  a  state 
of  atrophy.  The  nutrition  is  improved  and  a  condition  of  greater 
firmness  induced.  With  these  changes  a  return  to  sexual  health 
is  often  initiated. 

'•'■  Faradisjn  is  also  of  great  value  in  the  form  of  impotence 
under  consideration.  Its  mode  of  use  is  not  essentially  different 
from  that  of  galvanism,  except   in  certain   respects  to  be  noted. 

"  In  applying  the  current  to  the  spine,  one  of  the  electrodes 
should  consist  of  the  wire  brush  ;  the  other,  a  wet  sponge  is 
placed  high  up  on  the  neck,  and  the  wire  brush  is  carried  down 
the  spine  slowly,  the  action  being  repeated  a  dozen  or  more 
times.  The  operation  is  a  very  painful  one,  but  the  reflex  stim- 
ulating action  is  very  decided.  The  nutrition  of  the  cord  is  im- 
proved, its  normal  degree  of  activity  I'estored  and  the  cui'e  of  the 
impotence  materially  facilitated. 

"  For  the  relief  of  the  anaesthetic  condition  of  the  glans,  which 
sometimes  is  a  cause  of  the  non-excitability  of  the  penis,  one 
pole,  the  wet  sponge,  is  placed  over  the  lumbar  or  sacral  region, 
while  the  other,  the  wire  brush,  is  placed  on  the  glans.  A  mild 
current  is  used  at  first,  and  this  is  gradually  increased  as  the 
patient  becomes  more  used  to  it,  till  one  of  considerable  inten- 
sity and  causing  decided  pain  is  reached.  The  object  is  to  make 
a  marked  inpression  on  the  terminal  extremities  of  the  nerves  of 
the  part,  and  this  cannot  be  done  without  exciting  more  or  less 
pain.  Two  or  three  minutes  are  enough  for  this  application, 
which,  however,  ought  to  be  repeated,  sometimes  daily,  and  at 
others  every  alternate  day. 


Electricity   and    Electrical    Apparatus, 


'49 


"For  application  to  the  interior  of  the  urethra  the  faradaic 
current  is  useful,  though  in  general  not  as  desirable  a  means  of 
employing  electricity  as  the  galvanic  current.  An  electrode  of 
the  same  kind  as  that  previously  mentioned  is  introduced  and 
being  attached  to  the  induction  machine  a  current  is  passed  as  in 
the  other  instance. 

"  Faradaic  currents  employed  in  the  ways  referred  to  should 
be  frequently  interrupted.  Slowly  interrupted  currents  are  of 
httle  sei-vice,  and  cause  fully  as  much  pain  as  those  in  which  the 
interruptions  are  rapid. 

'\Frankli7zic  or  Statical  Electricity,  though  not  of  such 
varied  uses  as  the  forms  mentioned,  is  still  capable  of  beino-  em- 
ployed with  great  advantage,  and  is,  in  some  respects,  the  prefer- 
able kind  to  administer.  The  manner  in  which  I  generally 
employ  it  when  I  have  decided  that  it  is  the  variety  of  electricitv 
most  suitable  to  the  case  is  as  follows: 

1  ''T^e  patient  being  seated  on  the  insulated  platform,  the 
clothing  being  unremoved,  sparks  are  drawn  by  means  of  a  lar-e 
brass  ball  from  along  the  whole  length  of  the  spine.  The  effe1:t 
of  this  is  toprocuce  a  counter-irritant  action  and  a  degree  of 
reflex  excitation  which  no  other  form  of  electricity  so  safely  and 
effectually  affords.  Each  spark  leaves  a  slight  elevation  of  the 
skin,  find  the  whole  surface  is  reddened.  The  penis  frequently 
enlarges  under  the  influence,  and  if  the  sparks  be  drawn  from 
the  sacral  region,  erections  will  often  be  produced,  even  in  cases 
in  which  they  have  not  taken  place  for  several  months  under  the 
influence  of  venereal  excitement.  By  means  of  a  brass  electrode 
enclosed  within  a  glass  cylinder  perforated  at  one  end,  devised 
by  Dr.  W.  J.  Morton,  the  action  can  be  directed  with  o-reat 
exactness.  ^ 

"  This  electrode  is  also  admirably  adapted  for  application  to 
the  penneum.  Indeed  it  would  be  difficult  to  conduct  sparks 
trom  this  region  without  some  such  anpliance. 

".  I*})!-  the  relief  of  anaesthesia  of  th^  glans  the  statical  electric- 
ity is  fully  as  effectual  as  galvanism,  perhaps  even  more  so.  For 
this  purpose  I  use  an  electrode,  also  invented  by  Dr.  Morton  so 
arranged  that,  while  the  sponge  extremity  is  on  the  body,  'the 
spark  can  be  made  to  pass  between  two  balls  capable  of  beincr 
brought  close  together  or  separated  as  may  be  necessary.  In  ai- 
plying  It  to  the  glans  penis  the  dry  sponge  disk  is  brouo-ht  into 
close  contact  with  the  organ,  and  the  brass  balls  being  separated 
a  half  inch  or  more,  a  powerful  effect  is  produced.  In  several 
cases  I  have  succeeded,  by  means  of  this  apparatus  and  statical 
electricity,  on  restoring  sensibility  to  the  glans  and  adiacent  tis- 
sues when  galvanism  and  faradism  had  failed 

"  On  the  whole  I  am  quite  satisfied  that  in  the  several  forms  of 


i:^o  Electricity   and    Electrical    Apparatus. 

electricity  which  I  have  mentioned,  the  physician  has  the  most 
important  of  all  means  for  the  treatment  of  enfeebled  conditions 
of  the  o^enerative  system.  There  are  other  useful  adjuncts  to  be 
presently  mentioned,  but  they  can  none  of  them,  or  all  of  them 
combined,  take  the  place  of  electricity." 

From  the  above  quotations  we  may  learn  a  great  deal  about 
the  use  of  electricity  in  tiiese  cases,  what  current  to  use,  how  to 
apply  it,  etc.  These  authors  are  all  ripe  in  age  and  experience, 
and  trustworthy  in  eveiy  regard. 

We  would  call  special  attention  to  the  last  clause  from  Prof. 
Hammond.  This  is  one  of  the  most  positive  and  wholesale 
statements  regarding  the  use  of  a  therapeutic  measure  that  can 
be  made  ;  and  we  should  remember  that  it  is  wi'itten  by  an  ex- 
perienced, competent  specialist,  acknowledged  as  authority 
everywhere.  And  there  is  much  truth  in  this  statement.  Elec- 
tricity has  almost  unlimited  power  in  working  physiological 
changes,  and  we  are  just  beginning  to  learn  about  its  value  as  a 
therapeutic  measure.  When  we  commenced  the  study  of  elec- 
tricity, we  had  no  idea  of  the  vast  amount  of  good  there  was  to 
be  derived  from  its  judicious,  scientific  emplo3'^ment.  We  are 
more  than  satisfied,  and  earnestly  commend  it  to  others.  And 
especially  do  we  urge  its  regular  and  persistent  application,  in 
conjunction  with  appropriate  medication,  in  all  cases  of  sexual 
weakness  or  impotency,  for  we  can  accomplish  a  great  deal  more 
in  such  cases  by  this  combined  treatment  than  we  can  with  drugs 
alone.  Indeed,  we  can  actually  restore  some  men  in  this  way 
where  drugs  alone  scarceU  help.  Of  course,  coca,  strych- 
nia, phosphorus,  etc.,  properly  used,  help  us  greath%  and, 
certainly,  we  have  succeeded  in  making  some  excellent  cm"es 
with  these  and  other  drugs  in  combination,  without  electricity. 
A  preparation  known  as  Cclerhia^  composed  of  equal  parts  of 
coca,  celery  and  viburnum,  we  regard  as  one  of  the  most  effi- 
cient, if  not  the  very  best  prescription  we  can  use,  in  certain  cases 
of  sexual  weakness.  But,  after  all,  we  have  in  electricity  the 
must  potent  remedy,  and  in  no  case  of  this  kind  should  it  be 
neglected  or  omitted,  for  in  some  cases  it  will  be  found  the  main 
reliance.     It  will  help  in  every  case,  and  always  hasten  the  cure. 


Electricity   and    Electrical    Apparatus.  151 

STRICTURE  OF  THE  URETHRA,  IMPOTENCE,   AND 
ELECTROLYSIS. 


Stricture  of  the  urethra  is  a  surgical  disease.  It  may  be  spas- 
modic or  organic.  The  contraction  may  be  found  in  any,  or  in 
different  parts  of  the  canal.  It  may  be  so  limited  as  to  attract 
but  little  attention,  or  it  may  greatly,  even  completely,  obstruct 
the  flow  of  urine,  necessitating  surgical  interference  for  imme- 
diate relief.  It  is  generally  caused  by  inflammation  of  the 
mucous  membrane  lining  the  canal,  which  may  come  from  gonor- 
rhea, masturbation,  or  sexual  excesses.  Strictures  are  some- 
times very  troublesome,  and  may  be  followed  by  serious  results. 

In  this  connection,  we  would  obsei^ve  that  one  of  the  most 
lamentable  consequences  of  stricture  of  the  urethra  is  sexual 
weakness.  Even  in  cases  where  the  disease  is  limited,  the  pa- 
tient not  being  aware  that  he  has  a  stricture,  impotency,  or  a 
condition  bordering  upon  total  loss  of  sexual  desire  and  power, 
may  be  suffered.  And  in  severe  and  protracted  cases  of  strict- 
m"e  it  is  not  uncommon  for  the  patient  to  suffer  from  sexual 
weakness,  if  he  does  not  become  totally  impotent.  Any  irrita- 
tation  in  the  urethra,  about  the  prostate  gland,  in  the  testes, 
or  eveii  about  the  anus,  continuing  for  any  length  of  time,  has  a 
tendency  to  weaken  the  generative  function.  The  reflex  action 
upon  the  lower  portion  of  the  spinal  cord  results  in  exhaustion, 
or  a  condition  called  anaesthesia. 

Regarding  the  frequency  of  urethral  stricture,  in  connection 
with  sexual  weakness  ana  impotency,  Prof.  S.  \V.  Gross,  in  his 
great  work,  "Disorders  of  the  Male  Sexual  Organs,"  holds 
that  the  most  frequent  variety  of  impotence,  what  he  calls  "atonic 
impotence,"  is  generally  induced  by  subacute  or  chronic  in- 
flammation and  morbid  sensibility  of  the  i^rostatic  urethra, 
which  is  frequently  associated  with  stricture ;  and  that  these 
strictures  frequently  result  from  masturbation  and  sexual  ex- 
cesses, as  well  as  from  gonorrhea.  Of  the  one  hundred  and 
seventy-one  cases  of  impotency  coming  under  Prof.  Gross's  ob- 
servation, one  hundred  and  fifty-nine  depended  upon  urethral 
disease — inflammation,  hyperassthesia,  or  stricture. 

Prof.  Gross  calls  special  attention  to  the  fact  "  that  inflamma- 


153  Electricity   and   Electrical   Apparatus. 

tion  of  the  prostatic  urethra  bears  the  same  relation  to  the  spinal 
reflexes  of  the  male  that  the  inflammation  of  the  uterus  bears  to 
allied  disorders  in  the  female,  and  that  it  is  a  constant  source  of 
irritation  of  the  genital  nerves  which  tei-minate  in  that  local- 
ity. An  enfeebled  state  of  the  lumbar  division  of  the  cord  and  ex- 
haustion of  the  cells  that  minister  to  its  reflex  functions  are  thus 
finally  brought  about."  Some  of  the  cases  examined  had  been 
masturbators,  others  had  indulged  in  sexual  excesses,  while  not 
a  few  had  had  gonorrhea.  Prof.  Gross  holds,  and  this  agrees 
with  our  own  observations,  that  confirmed  masturbation  is  just  as 
sure  to  result  in  urethritis  and  the  formation  of  a  stricture  as  is 
gleet.  And  we  are  sure  that  the  same  thing  may  result  from 
sexual  excesses.  Of  eighty-two  masturbators  who  suffered  from 
atonic  impotence,  and  of  ninety-one  who  had  seminal  incon- 
tinence— of  one  hundred  and  seventy-three  in  all — examined  by 
Prof.  Gross,  only  twenty-two  were  free  from  stricture.  This 
shows  the  frequency  of  stricture  in  connection  with  and  as  a 
cause  of  impotency.  In  some  cases  two  or  three  strictures 
existed,  in  others  there  was  only  one.  In  many  cases  the  con- 
traction was  near  the  meatus,  but  the  majoritv  will  be  found  in 
the  prostatic  portion  of  the  urethra. 

The  fact  is  well  established  that  impotence,  in  its  various  de*- 
grees — from  a  slight  weakness  to  complete  incapacity — is  fre- 
quently associated  with  and  dependent  upon  disease  of  the  ure- 
thra. And  where  this  is  the  case,  especially  where  stricture 
exists,  all  ordinary  plans  of  treatment  for  impotency  fail  to  give 
permanent  relief.  We  may  prescribe  coca,  strychnia,  phospho- 
rus, etc.,  and  apply  electricity  to  the  spine  and  glans  penis,  and 
may  help  the  case  materially,  and  but  for  the  urethral  disease 
we  might  restore  the  patient,  but  until  the  urethral  disease  is 
cured  we  need  not  expect  lasting  results. 

These  patients  notice  a  ropy  mucus  following  the  discharge 
of  urine.  They  may  suffer  from  difficult  or  painful  micturition. 
Nocturnal  emissions,  or  daily  incontmence  of  seminal  fluid,  are 
not  uncommon.  Sexual  intercourse  is  impossible,  or  it  is  un- 
satisfactory on  account  of  premature  emission  and  sudden  relax- 
ation of  the  virile  organ.      This  urethral  disease  must  be  cured. 

It  is  a  fact  that  some    men  suffer  from   urethral   disease,  and 


Electricity   and    Electrical   Apparatus.  153 

even  from  stricture,  and  never  think  about  impotency ;  indeed, 
they  may  not  be  very  much  weakened,  except  temporarily  from 
pain.  But  a  sexual  weakness  is  liable  to  obtain  at  any  time, 
under  such  circumstances,  and  all  this  makes  the  treatment  of 
urethral  disease,  especially  stricture,  of  great  importance. 

Prof.  Gross  is  an  old  surgeon,  and  he  treats  stricture,  as 
nearly  all  surgeons  do,  by  the  application  of  medicaments 
through  appropriate  instruments,  by  the  judicious  use  of  sounds, 
and  sometimes  resorts  to  the  knife.  But  we  are  electricians,  and 
prefer  electricity  in  overcoming  and  curing  urethral  strictures. 

Of  course,  where  the  parts  are  very  tender,  and  a  high  state 
of  inflammation  is  present,  suppositories  containing  iodoform, 
or  sugar  of  lead  an*l  tannin,  or  hamamelis,  may  be  placed  in 
the  urethra  once  or  twice  a  day  for  a  while ;  and  occasionally 
an  opium  suppository  may  be  placed  in  the  rectum  to  relieve 
pain,  lessen  sensibility  and  give  rest.  But  for  the  radical  cure 
of  stricture,  electricity^  is  the  remedy.  No  treatment  yet  devised 
is  so  successful  in  the  treatment  of  stricture  —  spasmodic  or 
organic  —  as  electrolysis.  In  spasmodic  stricture  the  faradic 
current  cures  by  its  relaxing  power ;  but  the  great  majority  of 
strictures  we  are  called  upon  to  treat  are  of  an  organic  character, 
and  require  the  constant  galvanic  current — not  the  faradic* 

From  original  papers  furnished  by  Robert  Newman,  M.  D., 
of  New  York,  we  glean  the  important  facts  regarding  the  treat- 
ment of  stricture  by  electrolysis,  as  quoted  in  the  following 
pages.  Dr.  Newman  is  reliable  authority  everywhere,  and  we 
take  great  pleasure  in  reproducing  his  reports,  putting  his  meth- 
ods in  permanent  form,  for  they  are  of  inestimable  worth.  We 
are  applying  his  treatment  successfully,  and  cannot  better  present 
the  subject  than  quote  him  verbatim  : 

Dr.  Newman  defines  the  specific  action  produced  by  electrol- 
ysis in  the  treatment  of  strictures  as  follows : 

"  My  experience  of  its  action,  after  observing  it  minutely  in 
all  its  known  relations,  leads  me  to  name  this  electrolytic  action 
galvanic  chemical  absorption,  and  I  depend  mainly  on  the  chem- 
ical decomposition  caused  by  electrolysis. 

"Next,  I  must    define  my   term  'absorption,'   as  some   may 

*See  page  55. 


154  Electricity   and    Electrical    Apparatus. 

object  to  it  as  not  definite  enough,  or  understanding  that  it  per- 
tains only  to  the  action  of  lacteals.  But  I  believe  I  am  justified 
in  using  the  term,  as  Webster's  definition  of  absorption  is  as  fol- 
lows: '  The  process  or  act  of  being  made  passively  to  disappear 
in  some  other  substance,  through  molecular  or  other  invisible 
means,  as  the  absorption  of  light,  heat,  electricity,  etc'  And 
such  is  the  action  exactly,  as  we  will  see  hereafter. 

"  The  negative  pole  acts  as  a  caustic  alkali.  If  increased  ten- 
sion is  used,  it  will  destroy  tissue,  but  mildly  applied  it  acts  as  a 
chemical  absorbent  on  the  altered  tissue,  and  restores  the  part  to 
its  normal  condition. 

"  The  theory  on  which  my  first  experiments  were  made,  has 
been  corroborated  by  an  experience  of  some  years,  and  proved 
to  me  that  electrolysis  in  curing  stricture  of  the  urethra  is  of  the 
most  substantial  value."  , 

In  all  electrolytic  operations,  galvanic  batteries  with  zinc  and 
carbon  elements,  and  an  exciting  fluid  made  of  bichromate  of 
potash,  sulphuric  acid  and  water,  are  greatly  to  be  preferred; 
and  the  elements  should  be  very  small,  or  the  arrangement 
should  be  such  that  the  elements  can  be  immersed  in  the  excit- 
ing fluid  to  a  limited  extent — one  fourth,  or  their  whole  length, 
at  pleasure.  Tension,  and  not  quantity,  is  what  we  want  in 
electrolysis. 

The  catheter  or  instrument  used  in  the  treatment  of  urethral 
strictures  should  always  be  attached  to  the  negative  pole,  while 
a  carbon  electrode,  covered  with  a  wet  sponge,  chamois  or  flan- 
nel, may  be  held  in  the  hand  by  the  patient.  The  catheter  or 
operating  instrument  employed  by  Dr.  Newman  consists  of  a 
metal  rod,  over  which  a  flexible  catheter  is  fixed,  and  (jut  off  at  its 
extremity  for  the  attachment  of  a  metal  bulb,  which  is  securely 
fastened  by  means  of  a  screw  point  on  the  end  of  the  rod.  The 
bulb  is  egg  shaped,  about  half  an  inch  long,  its  length  propor- 
tioned to  its  diameter.  Tbe  flexible  catheter  acts  as  a  perfect 
insulator,  and  at  the  upper  or  free  end  the  instrument  is  con- 
nected with  the  wire  from  the  negative  pole  of  the  battery.* 
These  are  nearly  the  words  used  by  Dr.  Newman. 

Regarding  the  physiological  and  therapeutical  effects  of  elec- 
trolysis on  mucous  lining,  Dr.  Newman  says: 

*  These  instruments  are  now  kept  in  stoe^,  ready  made,  of  different 
sizes,  by  nearly  all  electrical  supply  dealers,  and  are  called  electrotlu 
bougies. 


Electricity   and    Electrical    Apparatus.  155 

"  In  describing  the  different  degrees  of  quantity  and  tension  of 
the  current,  the  result  of  actual  observation  and  experience,  the 
salient  points  will  be  perhaps  more  intelligible  if  subdivisions  be 
made, 

''  The  contact  of  the  positive  pole  with  the  inucous  linmg  by 
a  metal,  bulb-shaped  catheter,  causes  great  pain.  The  electrol- 
ysis thus  applied  feels  and  acts  similar  to  a  strong  vegetable  acid, 
destroys  tissue,  and  is  not  easily  borne. 

''  But  if  the  negative  pole  is  used  with  the  same  electrode,  no 
pain  follows  the  application,  provided  the  current  is  not  too 
strong;  it  thus  produces  only  a  sensation  of  pricking  and  burning. 

"a.  If  a  limited  electrolytic  power  be  selected  and  applied 
by  the  usual  method,  the  current  is  gradual  and  slow  in  its  action, 
and  we  observe — 

'•''First. — The  mucous  lining  of  the  urethra  is  often  covered 
with  an  alkaline  secretion.  The  electrolytic  action  coagulates 
it  in  a  semi-solid  mass.  The  same  result  may  bo  observed  if  the 
albumen  of  an  &^^  be  submitted  to  the  action  of  both  jooles. 

''''Second. — In  the  absence  of  this  secretion,  moistui'e  only 
being  present,  a  general  stimulation  takes  place. 

''''Third. — Agitation. 

'"''JPourth. — Lifting  and  loosenmg  of  epithelium. 

'"'Fifth. — Attraction  and  disintegration. 

'•'•Sixth. — Coagulation  of  alkalies. 

'•'•Seventh. — Tne  epithelium  shrivels  up. 

'•'•  Eis^hth. — Detached  and  lost. 

'•'•Ninth. — Mucous  lining  dries,  and  gradually  changes  color 
from  a  pinkish  red  to  white. 

"  Tenth. — At  the  commencement  of  the  caustic  action,  absorp- 
tion slowly  takes  place,  tissue  is  absorbed  and  disappears. 

'•'•  Illeventh. — The  metallic  extremity  of  the  bougie  insinuates 
itself  in  the  deeper  tissue,  producing  a  depression;  an  aperture 
is  made  wdiich  forms  a  new  passage. 

''''Twelfth. — The  electrolytic  action  having  made  a  passage,  the 
albuminous  secretions  on  the  walls  of  the  urethra  are  acted  upon 
by  the  negative  pole  coagulating  it,  and  bearing  resemblance  to 
boiling  froth. 

''''Thirteenth. — By  degrees  a  scab  is  formed. 

"(3.  Electrolysis  may  become  caustic  in  its  action  if  too  strong 
currents  are  used,  destroying  the  tissue,  leaving  a  denuded  sur- 
face behind,  which  in  the  healing  process  throws  out  plastic 
lymph,  fills  up  the  cavity,  and  forms  solid   and  adherent  walls. 

"c.  If  electrolysis  of  great  power  is  used,  it  rapidly  opens  a 
passage.  The  perforation  thus  made  forms  a  scab  upon  the  walls 
of  the  urethra. 

"  My  experience  has  proven    conclusively    that  the    means  of 


1^6     Electricity  and  Electrical  Apparatus. 

curing-  stricture  consists  mainly  in  using  weak  currents;  and 
mischief  m:iy  be  clone  by  strong  currents,  which  destroy  tissue 
rapidly,  instead  of  causing  chemical  decomposition. 

"  As  seen  by  the  foregoing,  the  two  poles  differ  in  their  action, 
and  therefore  give  different  results.  It  further  appears  that  the 
poles  vary  in  their  action  with  the  material  used.  For  example, 
by  a  general  application  with  sponge  electrodes,  a  certain  result 
is  obtained  ;  the  same  current,  similar  in  every  way,  will,  by  the 
use  of  a  metallic  electrode,  become  electrolytic.  The  faradic  or 
mduced  current,  as  a  general  application,  with  the  sponge  elec- 
trode, is  mainly  used  (and  even  preferred)  to  ascertain  muscular 
contractility.  Hence  it  is  employed  in  paralysis,  because  it 
vitalizes,  and  stimulates  the  muscles  into  activity,  sustains  the 
action  of  the  heart,  impresses  the  circulation,  and  exerts  a  pow- 
erful influence  over  the  motor  nerves. 

"If  the  faradic  current  is  emplioyed  with  metal  electrodes,  or 
a  sponge  electrode  as  positive,  and  the  bougie  with  metal  bulb 
as  the  negative  pole  in  the  urethra,  it  prevents,  or  cures  spas- 
modic action ;   hence,  is  a  cure  for  spasmodic  strictures. 

"  It  appears  that  the  two  poles  are  identical  in  their  action, 
and  manifest  no  significant  difference,  at  least  it  is  not  so  mai'ked 
as  in  galvanization. 

"The  galvanic,  or  constant  current,  as  a  general  application, 
may  be  used  with  more  or  less  advantage  or  benefit  in  all  cases 
(although  the  faradic  is  preferred  as  a  general  tonic  and  stimu- 
lant), and  acts  as  such  principally  on  the  sympathetic,  motor, 
and  sensory  nerves,  and  its  effects  to  equalize  the  circulation  ai"e 
very  significant.  But  if  galvanization  is  used  with  metal  elec- 
trode to  obtain  electrolytic  action,  the  result  obtained  will  be 
widely  different. 

"  The  positive  pole  will  coagulate  the  blood,  attract  acid  and 
oxygen :  in  fact,  by  a  pecular  action  the  battery  has  yielded  an 
acid  product,  which  acts  as  actively  and  produces  as  painful  and 
sloughing  a  sore  as  will  the  most  powerful  mineral  acid,  and 
leaves  behind  a  hard  and  retractile  cicatrix  on  the  tissue  with 
which  it  has  been  in  contact;  while  the  negative  pole  will  dis- 
solve blood,  augments  its  fluidity,  attracting  hydrogen,  coagulates 
albumen,  attracts  alkalies,  and  acts  as  a  caustic  alkali  on  the 
tissues,  leaving  behind  a  small,  soft  cicatrix,  which  is  not  re- 
tractile. 

''  Now,  the  knowledge  of  the  foregoing  facts  is  of  paramount 
importance,  and  they  are  all  the  more  essential,  inasmuch  as 
they  happen  to  be  the  great  factors  with  which  we  should  be  ac- 
quainted for  the  intelligent  application  of  the  method  under 
consideration. 

''''  Method  of  Application. — The   first  thing    the  operator  will 


Electricity   and    Electrical   Apparatus. 


o/ 


have  to  consider  is,  the  pathological  condition  of  the  particular 
stricture  he  has  to  deal  with.  Next,  to  devise  a  plan  for  his  future 
action,  select  the  method  he  intends  to  employ,  and  the  treatment 
be  means  to  follow ;  what  he  wishes  and  what  he  can  accom- 
plish in  a  single  seance,  and  what  he  reasonably  can  effect.  He 
must  know  WHEN  to  operate,  and  the  time  that  should  elapse 
before  the  operation  is  repeated.  The  patient  should  not  be 
subjected  to  pain. 

"  Of  course  no  stereotyped  rule  can  be  laid  down  which  should 
be  followed  by  all  alike.  Each  case  depends  on  its  own  inherent 
peculiarities,  and  must  be  treated  accordingly.  The  successful 
issue  of  each  case  depends  entirely  on  the  operator's  choice  of 
method,  and  he  should  employ  that  one  which  offers  the  best 
chances  of  success,  and  which  he  deems  the  most  effective. 

'•'•First. — Electrolytic  action,  by  mild  currents,  from  batteries 
united  for  tension,  produces  gradual  chemical  absorption,  as  be- 
fore described.    The  current  is  gradually  increased  or  decreased. 

"  Another  method  is  a  mixed  operation.  The  passage  is  made 
by  the  action  of  a  powerful  electrolytic  current,  which  may  de- 
nude the  surface  of  the  urethra  ;  the  walls  are  kept  apart  to 
prevent  adhesion.  This  indication  is  fulfilled  by  the  introduc- 
tion of  the  catheter  immediately  after  the  operation,  and  retain- 
ing it  in  sitti. 

"  My  predilections  are  in  favor  of  the  first  method,  and  I  use 
it  because  it  is  more  desirable.  If  circumstances  permit,  I 
operate  with  it  in  preference  to  all  others,  because  it  is  safe,  and 
never  has  been  followed  by  accident  or  ill  effect.  In  fact  it  is 
the  procedure  here  advocated,  practiced  and  illustrated  by  cases. 
It  is  the  method  which  treats  the  stricture  through  mild  currents, 
by  a  '•galvanic  chemical  absorption.^ 

"  The  mixed  operation  I  only  pi'acticed  when  obliged  to  do 
so  ;  that  means,  when  the  first  method  cannot  be  used  with  good 
effect,  then  the  current  must  be  increased.  Only  a  very  few 
aggravated  cases  will  need  this  procedure.  The  after  treatment 
must  be  conducted  carefully,  as  the  retention  of  the  catheter  in 
the  urethra  may  cause  irritation,  cvstitis  and  in'ethral  fever.  But 
even  if  it  occasions,  under  very  unfavorable  circumstances,  some 
inconvenience,  it  is  preferable  to  the  otherwise  unavoidable 
perineal  section,  which,  according  to  statistics,  is  dangerous. 
This  method  is  particularly  indicated,  if  the  stricture  is  impas- 
sable and  tough.  The  strong  current  may  denude  the  walls  of 
the  ui'ethra,  and  the  plastic  lymph  thrown  out  will  cause  adhe- 
sions. To  avoid  such  adhesions,  the  catheter  is  retained.  The 
new  entirely  flexible  rubber  catheter  is  a  great  improvement  for 
this  purpose,  as  it  is  less  irritating  and  self-retaining,  thereby 
avoiding  the  dangers  which  might  otherwise  follow. 


15S  Electricity  and    Electrical    Apparatus. 

'■^ Examhiation  of  the  Sirictuye. — Stricture  is  a  pathological 
condition  of  the  urethra,  which  by  alteration  of  tissue  has  nar- 
rowed its  calibre. 

"  The  object  of  surgical  interference  is  the  restoration  of  the 
urethra  to  its  normal  physiological  and  anatomical  condition, 
which  includes  power,  healthy  action,  and,  above  all,  its  form 
and  natural  calibre.  This  being  accomplished,  the  cure  is  com- 
pleted. The  method  which  will  accomplish  this  gratifying 
result  with  the  least  pain  or  inconvenience  to  the  patient,  with' 
least  interference  with  his  daily  avocations,  is  certainly  the  best. 

"For  all  practical  purposes,  we  may  divide  strictures  in  three 
classes: 

"  I.  Spasmodic  strictures;  2.  Inflammatory  strictures;  3. 
Organic  strictures. 

"  Spasmodic  strictures  may  occur  as  a  consequence  of  irrita- 
tion, venereal  excesses,  masturbation,  excess  of  acid  in  the  urine, 
pyelitis,  diabetes  mellitus,  arthritis,  cystitis,  nervous  debility, 
etc.  I  have  already  observed  that  spasmodic  stricture  is  amen- 
able to  cure  by  the  faradic  current.  This  current  is  of  much 
value  if  employed  to  confirm  the  diagnosis  ;  but  spasmodic  con- 
traction of  the  vu^ethra,  usually  called  stricture,  is  not  real  stric- 
ture, and  has  no  bearing  on,  or' relation  to,  the  electrolytic 
treatment,  and  is  here  referred  to  merely  as  a  comparison. 

"  The  last  two  kinds  of  stricture  are  amenable  to  treatment 
by  electrolysis.  Both  are  generally  the  consequences  of  neglected 
acute  urethritis,  or  the  result  of  traumatic  lesion.  I  have  no  in- 
tention to  describe  in  this  paper  the  different  forms  of  strictures  ; 
I  confine  myself  to  the  delineation  of  the  last  two.  In  the  in- 
flammatory stricture  the  calibre  of  the  urethra  is  narrowed  by 
the  product  of  inflammation  thrown  out  by  exudation  internal  to 
the  mucous  lining.  The  case  may  be  complicated  by  the  pres- 
ence of  more  or  less  granulations ;  whereas  in  organic  stricture 
the  calibre  is  lost  by  the  pressure  upon  the  altered  parts,  and 
heteroplasia  of  the  deeper  tissues.  The  knowledge  of  this  path- 
ological condition  is  a  fact  of  much  value  for  the  intelligent,  and 
successful  application  of  electrolysis.  If  this  is  understood,  it 
necessarily  follows  that  the  organic  stricture  needs  a  stronger, 
and  the  inflammatory  a  milder  current  of  galvanism  in  order  to 
effect  chemical  absorption.  Certain  facts  should  be  inquired 
into  concerning  the  history  of  the  case,  such  as  the  general  con- 
dition of  the  patient,  see  whether  inhei'ited  diathesis  can  be 
discovered,  a  peculiar  dyscrasia,  or  if  any  complication  be  pres- 
ent at  the  seat,  or  anywhere  adjacent  to  it.  For  example,  if  the 
stricture  be  complicated  with  cicatrices;  if  there  be  syphilis,  or 
tertiary  symptoms.  If  either  of  these  complications  be  present, 
the  case    is    not  a    favorable  one  for  electrolysis.       The  patient, 


Electricity   and    Electrical    Apparatus.  159 

under  these  circumstances,  needs  first   constitutional   treatment. 

"  Meas7ireinent. — In  order  to  ascertain  with  certaint}'  the  exact 
locaiity,  length,  size,  etc.,  of  the  stricture,  I  generally  introduce 
into  the  urethra  a  sound  as  large  as  the  meatus  will  admit;  by 
this  manoeuvre  we  ascertain  at  the  beginning  of  our  manipula- 
tion the  normal  calibre  of  the  urethra.  The  sound  is  then  gent- 
ly pushed  forward,  until  we  reach  the  stricture  ;  that  being  accom- 
plished, we  carefully  note  in  inches,  by  actual  measurement,  the 
distance  the  first  stricture  is  met  with  from  the  meatus.  Next 
we  ascertain  how  large  a  sound  the  stricture  will  allow  to  pass ; 
at  the  same  time  an  attempt  is  made  to  ascertain  the  length  of 
the  stricture.  Having  discovered  the  available  sound,  the  explo- 
ration is  continued  until  the  whole  of  the  stricture  has  been  ex- 
plored. If  any  more  strictures  are  discovered  during  the  inves- 
tigation, they  are  measured  in  the  same  manner  as  the  first ;  a 
note  of  their  topography  is  made  and  carefully  recorded,  because 
in  all  future  operations  the  perfect  knowledge  of  the  localities  of 
the  impediments  is  of  extreme  importance  for  their  proper 
treatment. 

"After  a  careful  and  minute  examination  is  made,  and  the 
state,  size,  etc.,  of  the  urethra  duly  noted,  a  plan  of  action  and 
future  treatment  in  accordance  with  the  previous  principles  enun- 
ciated is  decided  on,  and  immediately  carried  out. 

^'■The  Modtis  Operandi. — First. — The  susceptibility  of  the 
patient  to  the  galvanic  current  is  to  be  ascertained,  and  is  accom- 
plished in  the  following  manner:  The  two  sponge  electrodes  are 
grasped  in  the  palm  of  the  hand;  the  metallic  slide  is  carefully 
and  slowly  moved  onwards,  cell  by  cell ;  the  strength  of  the  cur- 
rent is  thus  entirely  under  the  control  of  the  operator,  and  should 
be  augmented  until  the  patient  feels  a  pricking  sensation.  ,  The 
toleration  with  which  the  patient  endures  the  current  without  in- 
convenience indicates  the  tension  suitable  for  the  operation,  and 
may  be  varied  according  to  circumstances;  still,  it  should  always 
be  in  accordance  with  the  well-known  laws  and  influences  which 
govern  electricit}'. 

"The  position  which  the  patient  should  assume  during  the 
operation  is  a  matter  of  slight  importance  ;  his  own  convenience 
should  be  consulted  ;  he  may  either  stand  or  sit,  or  may  lie  on 
his  back  with  his  knees  drawn  upward.  In  my  practice  the 
patient  generally  stands  in  front  of  me.  Anaesthetics  are  not 
used,  because  I  deem  them  unnecessary.  On  the  contrar}-,  I 
want  the  patient  conscious,  so  that  I  may  have  the  advantage  of 
his  statement  as  to  the  sensations  experienced,  during  the  pro- 
gress of  the  operation,  which,  if  rightl}-  performed,  occasions  no 
pain. 

"  One  of  the  bougies  with  metal  bulb,  as  already  stated,  is  now 


i6o  Electricity  and  Electrical    Apparatus. 

taken  up  ;  the  size  to  be  selected  will  depend  on  the  method  de- 
termined upon. 

'/If  the  stricture  is  not  too  firm  or  fibrous,  I  generally  com- 
mence with  a  bougie  which  is  three  or  four  numbers  larger  than 
I  judge  the  stricture  to  be,  and  on  the  well  based  supposition 
that  the  current  will,  through  its  peculiar  action,  absorb  the  strict- 
ure to  such  an  extent,  that  the  dilatation  it  produces  will  be 
equal  to  the  difference  of  three  or  four  sizes. 

"  Having  ascertained  by  actual  measurement  the  locality  of 
the  stricture  or  strictures  (if  there  be  more  than  one),  I  push  a 
small  India-rubber  ring  over  the  bougie  for  each  of  them.  This 
little  manoeuvre  has  many  advantages  ;  not  the  least  important  is, 
that  I  am  made  aware  as  soon  as  the  India-rubber  ring  arrives  at 
the  meatus,  that  the  extremity  of  the  bulb  must  be  in  contact 
with  the  stricture. 

"Having  the  plan  of  the  urethra  through  actual  measurement 
before  me,  I  operate  with  additional  certainty,  and  beyond  a  per- 
adventure,  as  to  the  part  which  is  acted  upon. 

"  The  operator  of  some  experience  in  this  kind  of  manipula- 
tion is  always  made  perfectly  aware  by  digital  touch  where  the 
sound  is,  at  any  time  during  the  operation.  The  bougie,  well 
lubricated,  is  now  connected  to  the  cord  electrode  of  the  nega- 
tive pole,  and  then  introduced  into  the  urethra  down  to  the  first 
stricture  ;  a  sponge  electrode  is  attached  to  the  positive  pole  of 
the  battery;  the  current  is  completed  by  placing  the  sponge 
either  over  the  superpubic  region,  the  thigh,  or  inner  aspect  of 
the  patient's  hand.  I  prefer  the  latter,  because  it  is  more  pleas- 
ing to  the  patient,  without  weakening  the  effect  of  the  negative 
pole.  The  current  should  now  be  very  slowly  and  gi'adually  in- 
creased, one  cell  at  a  time,  or  still  more  divided  by  resistances, 
until  the  patient  feels  there  is  a  certain  strength  in  the  current. 
The  galvanic  current  should  never  be  so  strong  as  to  cause  either 
pain  or  a  burning  sensation;  because,  in  that  event,  the  current 
in  its  action  would  approach  the  galvano-caustic,  instead  of  the 
electrolytic,  which  is  not  contemplated.  Generally  the  power 
from  eight  cells  is  adequate,  and  will  fulfill  all  the  indications, 
and  be  found  sufficient  to  overcome  and  penetrate  the  stricture. 
It  will  be  found  that  an  application  of  three  to  five  minutes  will 
be  enough  to  make  an  impression  ;  less  time  may  answer  for  the 
bougie  to  advance  and  slip  through  the  impediment. 

"  During  the  whole  of  the  operation,  the  bougie  must  be  held 
loosely  and  gently  in  its  place  against  the  obstruction  ;  all  pres- 
sure or  force,  however  slight,  must  be  avoided.  The  bougie  will 
take  care  of  itself,  doing  its  own  work  by  the  electrolytic  power 
its  action  involves ;  whereas,  pressure  would  not  only  defeat  the 
object  and  purpose   of  its   application,  but  expose  the  patient  to 


Electricity  and    Electrical    Apparatus.  i6i 

serious  danger  from  hemorrhage,  or  even  rupture  of  the  urethra. 
"  The  operation  being  completed,  care  should  be  taken  to  re- 
duce the  battery  to  o,  by  gradually  moving  the  slide  back  to  the 
starting  point,  cell  by  cell,  and  only  one  at  a  time.  When  the 
slide  is  returned  to  the  point  from  which  it  started,  the  current 
should  be  interrupted. 

"  It  will  be  observed  that  on  withdrawing  the  bougie  electrode, 
there  is  found  surrounding  its  metal  bulb  a  frothy,  yellowish 
mass,  which  bears  a  strong  resemblance  to  coagulated  albumen. 
This  product  is  part  of  the  stricture,  which  has  been  decomposed 
by  the  electrolytic  action  of  the  battery.  There  are  failures  on 
record,  but  in  my  opinion  this  want  of  success  is  mainly  due  to  a. 
too  prolonged  or  to  a  too  frequent  application  of  the  current,  and 
to  the  causes  previously  enunciated.  The  applications,  to  war- 
rant a  successful  issue  in  any  given  case,  should  be  repeated  at 
intervals  of  nt  least  two  weeks,  and  in  some  instances  a  longer 
period  should  elapse  before  I  would  repeat  the  operation.  How- 
ever, if  all  things  are  favorable,  and  circumstances  give  me  abso- 
lute control  of  the  case,  I  would  prefer  a  period  of  four  weeks  to 
intervene  between  the  operations.  This  treatment  must  be  con- 
tinued until  the  urethra  has  recovered,  and  resumed  its-normal 
calibre,  whatever  this  may  be.  As  a  rule,  every  patient  may  be 
well  satisfied  if  his  lu-ethra  admits  a  No.  i3  English  sound,  and 
has  no  reason  to  complain  that  a  stricture  is  troubling  him.  But 
if  a  large  man  has  a  normal  vu'ethra,  the  calibre  of  which  corres- 
ponds to  a  sound  No.  15  or  more,  our  treatment  with  electrolysis 
must  be  contmued  until  the  size  of  such  urethra  is  sufficiently 
restored  to  correspond  with  the  normal  calibre.  At  times  I  have 
found  a  normal  urethra  of  the  size  of  No.  11,  the  meatus  even  a 
little  smaller,  admitting  the  No.  11  sound  only  after  careful 
stretching;  and  it  was  clearly  proven  that  such  urethi-a  never  had 
been  larger.  In  all  such  cases  I  am  well  satisfied  with  a  restora- 
tion to  size  No.  II,  and  would  not  think  of  enlarging  such  a  ure- 
thra any  further. 

"  The  question  may  be  raised  here,  whether  our  treatment  is 
ever  followed  by  urethral  fever,  cystitis,  or  any  other  complica- 
tion. To  this  I  answer,  that  during  the  three  years  in  which  I 
practiced  the^>5/  method,  I  never  had  any  untoward  symptom. 
But  any  complication  may  arise  if  either  the  patient  or  the  opera- 
tor give  cause.  Urethral  fever  is  caused  by  a  rough  handling  of 
instruments,  or  an  over-exertion  of  the  patient  after  the  opera- 
tion. Avoid  the  causes,  and  you  will  have  no  consequences. 
For  this  reason  only  I  recommend  the  first  method  ;  but  the 
mixed  operation  must  be  employed  in  certain  cases,  in  order  to 
avoid  more  dangerous  means,  which  is  the  more  justifiable,  since 
Dr.  Bumstead,  in  his  excellent  work,  admits  that  '  either  of  the 


i62  Electricity  and  Electrical    Apparatus. 

modes  of  treatment  (of  stricture)  now  described,  may  be  fol- 
lowed by  rigors  and  other  unpleasant  symptoms,  which  are 
known  as  urethral  fever.'  To  illustrate  this,  I  will  now  narrate 
an  interesting  case,  in  which  circumstances  forced  me  to  practice 
the  mixed  method  in  order  to  avoid  the  more  dangerous  perineal 
section." 

"  Case  2 131. —  Tra^imatic  Impassable  Stricture  of  Nine 
Tears''  Standing  Treated  Successfully  by  the  Mixed  Method  of 
Electrolysis. — Mr.  S.  M.  S.,of  Hartford,  was  sent  tome  by  Dr. 
Storrs,  of  Hartford,  on  July  22,  1S73,  with  the  following  history 
of  a  traumatic  stricture :  Mr.  S.  was  in  the  mounted  service 
during  the  war.  In  1863  contracted  an  abscess  in  the  perineum, 
which  resulted  in  a  urethral  fistula.  In  1S64,  Dr.  Blackman,  in 
Cincinnati,  closed  the  fistula.  The  operation  was  a  cutting  one, 
and  the  wound  was  left  open  to  heal  by  granulations.  Soon  a 
stricture  of  the  urethra  followed,  M'hich  was  treated  by  the 
introduction  of  sounds  at  intei-vals.  The  stricture  grew  gradu- 
ally worse,  imtil  no  instrument  would  pass  it.  For  the  last  six 
weeks  the  urine  only  dribbles  away  by  drops,  and  not  the  small- 
est sound  or  even  catgut  will  pass  the  stricture.  The  kidneys 
are  disturbed,  occasionally  congested.  The  urine  is  pretty  con- 
stantly albuminous,  which  is  occasioned  by  the  difficulty  of  pass- 
ing water.  For  years  he  never  had  entirely  emptied  his  bladder, 
as  a  residue  was  left,  causing  cystitis.  The  ureters  were  often 
filled  with  urine,  producing  disturbance  of  the  kidneys.  On  ex- 
amination, I  found  that  a  large  steel  sound  No.  12  entered  the 
meatus  easily,  and  passed  down  to  the  seat  of  the  stricture, 
which  was  six  inches  from  the  seat  of  the  meatus.  Whalebone 
bougies,  catgut  and  other  instruments  of  the  smallest  size  were 
tried,  but  none  passed  the  stricture.  Next  an  examination  was 
made  with  the  endoscope.  The  large  tube  enters,  with  a  little 
difficulty,  a  distance  of  six  inches,  where  it  encounters  the  strict- 
ure. On  inspection,  we  see  that  the  stricture  is  well  formed, 
and  a  plastic  exudation,  like  a  duck's  web-foot,  presents  a  gray- 
ish white  appearance,  with  elevations  standing  out  like  granula- 
tions. On  the  light  side  the  remnant  of  the  opening  can  be 
seen,  very  narrow,  irregular,  congested,  irritated,  and  bleeding 
on  slight  touch.  Next  electrolysis  was  used  with  Drescher's 
galvanic  battery.  A  bougie  No.  6,  the  end  of  which  had  a 
metal  bulb,  was  introduced  to  the  seat  of  the  stricture,  and  at- 
tached to  the  battery  as  the  negative  pole  ;  the  circuit  was  com- 
pleted by  the  sponge  electrode  in  the  hand  of  the  patient.  The 
current  was  kept  up  for  eight  minutes,  but  the  bougie  would  not 
enter  the  stricture.  Then  a  bougie  No.  3  was  substituted,  and 
passed  into  the  stricture  slowly,  and  worked  its  way  until  it  was 
seven  inches  in  the  urethra.     Here  it  could  be  felt  distinctly  that 


Electricity   axd    Electrical    Apparatus.  163 

the  bougie  was  at  the  end  of  the  stricture,  and  it  was  then 
pushed  e1\sily  into  the  bhadder  to  its  whole  length— nine  inches. 
Hence  the  stricture  was  one  inch  long,  from  six  to  seven  niches 
deep.     After  this  operation  he  felt  somewhat  relieved. 

u  Aug.  13. — Battery  of  twelve  cells  for  twenty  minutes,  with 
metal  bougie  No.  6,  entered  the  stricture  three-eighths  of  an 
inch,  but  would  go  no  further,  nor  pass  the  whole  stricture.  Hem- 
orrhage prevented  further  operation. 

"  Aug.  13.  Has  had  a  good  night's  rest.  Urine  passes  with 
difficulty,  and  burns  a  little.  No  instrument  will  pass  the  strict- 
ure. Chloroform  was  given,  and  electrolysis  used.  A  steel 
sound  No.  7  as  negative  pole  was  introduced,  and  full  twenty 
cells  used  for  twenty  minutes.  At  last  the  sound  passed  the 
stricture  and  into  the  bladder.  Chloroform  was  then  discontinu- 
ed, and  a  bougie  No.  15,  with  a  metal  end,  and  the  other  part 
insulated,  introduced  as  the  negative  pole.  The  patient  was 
conscious,  and  saw  how  the  bougie  No.  15  passed  through  the 
stricture  into  the  bladder.  The  bougie  was  slowly  withdrawn 
under  a  galvanic  current  of  fourteen  cells.  The  patient  felt  no 
bad  effects  afterwards,  no  pain.  One  hour  afterwards  he  passed 
water.     He  left  for  home  in  a  few  hours. 

"  Sept.  9. — After  last  operation  he  has  improved,  and  passed  a 
steady  stream  of  water,,  equal  to  about  No.  3  or  4.  But  within  the 
last  few  days  he  has  grown  worse,  and  the  urine  only  dribbles 
away  with  difficulty  and  pain.  Endoscope  (large  tube)  shows 
an  immense  inflammation  and  irritation  at  the  stricture,  and  many 
small  granulations  have  sprung  up  ;  therefore  it  is  thought  not 
advisable  to  interfere  operatively  at  this  time,  as  no  good  result 
possibly  could  be  expected  under  the  circumstances.  In  order 
to  allay  irritation  and  gain  space,  urethral  suppositories  were 
ordered. 

"  Sept.  15. — Feels  better ;  says  in  five  years  he  has  not  felt  so 
well.  He  passes  water  better,  and  is  free  from  any  irritation  or 
pain. 

"Sept.  17. — His  constant  hard  labor  in  business,  and  the 
travels  on  the  railroad,  have  excited  the  parts  to  such  a  degree 
that  he  has  a  relapse,  and  cannot  void  urine,  which  only  dribbles 
away  in  di;ops.  No  instrument  will  pass  the  stricture,  not  the 
smallest.  My  friend.  Dr.  W.  H.  JSIaxvvell,  of  this  city,  saw 
him  in  consultation,  and  coincides  that  an  operation  for  his  re- 
lief is  unavoidable,  but  is  not  advisable  here  in  a  hotel,  where 
our  patient  is  without  care,  away  from  his  friends.  Consequent- 
ly he  went  home,  and  on  September  25th  the  operation  was  per- 
formed in  Hartford,  in  the  presence  and  with  the  kind  assist- 
ance of  Drs.  Storrs,  Fuller,  Elsworth  and  Russel,  all  eminent 
practitioners  of  Hartford.     Under  chloroform  anoth  er  effort  was 


164  Electricity   and   Electrical    Apparatus. 

made  to  overcome  the  stricture,  which  was  still  imjDassable  to  all 
instruments.  Then  the  electrolysis  was  used,  but  my  usual  bou- 
gies were  not  stiff  enough,  and  becoming  too  flexible,  might  have 
made  a  false  passage.  Now  the  only  alternative  was  a  different 
form  of  electrolysis,  with  strong  currents, to  overcome  the  stricture, 
or  perineal  section.  But  as  this  latter  plan  could  be  pursued  if 
the  other  failed,  therefore  electrolysis  was  decided  upon.  A 
steel  sound  No.  7  was  introduced  to  the  seat  of  the  stricture,  and 
the  free  end  connected  with  the  negative  pole  of  the  galvanic 
battery.  The  circuit  was  completed  by  a  sponge  electrode  as  a 
positive  pole,  and  held  firmly  on  his  thigh.  The  electrolysis 
was  kept  up  with  twenty  cells  for  nearly  half  an  hour,  during 
which  time  the  sound  made  slow  but  steady  progress.  The  ad- 
vance was  directed  with  one  finger  in  the  rectum,  and  only  guid- 
ed by  the  anatomical  relation.  At  lastthe  sound  could  be  moved 
within  the  bladder.  In  consultation,  the  plan  of  the  after  treat- 
ment was  decided  upon,  of  which  the  important  point  was  to 
keep  the  urethra  open,  and  thereby  to  prevent  adhesion.  The 
patient  was  then  left  under  the  care  of  Dr.  Storrs,  to  wdiose 
judicious  treatment  I  am  indebted  for  the  final  result.  Dr. 
Storrs'  notes  are  as  follows: 

"Wednesday  night  restless;  first  micturition  only  blood; 
second  time,  before  daylight,  a  full  stream.  Ordered  morphine, 
gr.  ss.  ;  dose  every  two  hours. 

"  Sept.  26. — Morphine  only  two  doses  ;  pulse  120;  sensibili- 
ty of  skin  and  thirst ;   urine  in  full  stream. 

'•Oct.  I. — Urine  with  more  difficulty;  smaller  stream  and 
straining;  pulse  80  ;  catheter  No.  3  passed,  then  a  No.  5  was  left 
for  the  night;  suffering  pain,  and  frequent  vomiting. 

"  Oct.  2. — Catheter  removed  ;  patientfell  asleep  ;  when  attempt- 
ing to  urinate,  the  flow  ceased  suddenly  ;  after  pain  and  strain- 
ing, a  calculus  was  voided  ;  then  the  urine  flowed  in  a  large 
stream,  and  in  an  easy  way,  such  as  had  not  been  known  for 
years. 

"Oct.  5. — Catheter  No.  5,  easy. 

"Oct.  21. — Catheter  No.  11,  easy;  considered  well. 

"Dec.  12. — Sound  No.  12  introduced  by  himself. 

"  I  firmly  believe  that  the  calculus  voided  by  the  urethra  was 
encysted  in  the  bhaddernear  the  sphincter,  and  that  the  electrolyt- 
ic action  loosened  it  from  its  encasement.  The  sudden  stoppage  of 
water  on  Oct.  2  was  caused  by  the  calculus  dropping  into  the 
urethra.  The  patient  has  been  kept  under  observation,  and 
has  remained  well.  Only  to  confirm  the  success,  he  passes,  in 
long  intervals  of  many  months,  a  sound  No.  12  into  his  bladder, 
and  reports  well. 

"  The  first  method,  as  described  1)efore,  I  practice  now  almost 


Electricity   and   Electrical   Apparatus.  165 

exclusively,  and  consider  it  the  only  safe  one.  I  have  about 
thirty  cases  on  record,  of  which  the  follov^^ing',  in  brief,  I  will 
mention,  as  details  would  cause  too  much  repetition: 

"Case  2045. — T-mo  Strictures^  Coinplication  of  Syphilis. — 
W.  H.  B.,  an  actor  of  this  city,  came  under  my  treatment  in 
March,  1S71.  Found  on  examination  two  strictures  at  one  and 
at  five  and  a  half  inches.  Had  syphilis,  which  aggravated  the 
strictures,  and  undoubtedly  this  complication  caused  the  strict- 
ures to  impart  a  feeling  of  cartilage,  which  brings  them  almost 
under  the  calcareous  species.  The  patient  received  constitu- 
tional treatment,  and  a  few  seances  of  electrolysis  cured  the 
strictures.  He  has  been  heard  from  recently,  and  has  remained 
well. 

"  Case  2093. — T-vo  Strictzires.  C/iaJzcroid.  Failure  of 
Dilatation.  Successes  xvitk  Electrolysis. — R.  A.,  a  hotel  keep- 
er, came  under  my  treatment  in  JNIarch,  1873.  Had  been  treat- 
ed in  the  country  for  stricture  by  dilatation,  with  no  success. 
Found  a  chancroid  in  the  urethra,  which  was  treated  first.  The 
two  strictures  were  found  situated  at  one  and  a  quarter  and 
four  and  a  half  inches  from  meatus,  respectively. 

"  Mar.  23.  Electrolvsis  was  used  with  a  bougie  No.  10^  with  a 
metal  bulb  as  negative  ;  positive  electrode  in  the  palm  of  the 
hand.  Ten  cells  of  the  galvanic  battery  were  used  for  nine 
minutes,  and  the  bougie  passed  slowly  through  the  strictures 
into  the  bladder. 

"April  14.  The  operation  was  repeated  with  a  bougie  No.  I3. 
The  patient  has  been  heard  from  only  recently,  and  has  not  had 
a  relapse. 

"Case  209S. —  O^ie  Stricture^  Spermatorrhcpa,  ImpotencCi 
Melazicholia. — ^larch,  1S73:  R.  T.,  merchant,  in  Philadelphia, 
came  to  my  office  in  an  advanced  stage  of  hvpochondriasis,  com- 
plaining of  general  malaise,  spermatorrhoea,  impotence,  small 
stream  of  water,  pain  in  the  urethra,  etc.  A  steel  sound  No.  I3 
entered  the  urethra  easily,  but  was  arrested  at  seven  inches. 
Sounds  of  smaller  size  were  all  arrested  likewise  at  the  same 
point.  There  is  no  doubt  that  a  stricture  exists,  and  at  last  a 
sound  No.  7  passed  it  with  difficulty.  The  trouble  must  exist 
either  at  the  junction  of  the  membranous  and  prostatic  portions, 
or  in  the  latter.  Galvanism  was  used  with  \.Qn  cells.  Bougie 
No.  10,  with  metallic  end  as  negative  into  the  urethra;  met  the 
same  obstruction  at  seven  inches.  The  positive  pole  was  a 
nickel  bulb,  antl  grasped  firmly  with  the  closed  hand.  After  five 
minutes  of  the  electrolytic  current,  tlie  bougie  passed  the  strict- 
ure slowly,  and  slipped  into  the  bladder.  The  withdrawal  of 
the  bougie  was  followed  by  a  thick  gleety  discharge.  It  seemd 
that  this  matter  had  accumulated   behind  the   stricture,  irritates 


i66  Electricity    and    Electrical   Apparatus. 

the  prostatic  portion  and  the  ducts,  and  thereby  was  accessory 
to  creating  a  spermatorrhoea.  On  passing  water,  shreds  came 
along  of  a  thick,  white  mass,  which  were  the  product  of  electrol- 
ysis. The  operation  had  not  caused  pain,  and  the  patient  trav- 
eled home  without  any  unpleasant  feeling. 

"April  i6.  On  examination  with  a  sound  No.  lo,  found  the 
stricture  at  the  exact  place.  The  sound  passed  the  stricture 
after  persistent  and  patient  efforts. 

"  Then  the  galvanism  was  used  as  before,  with  a  bougie  No. 
12  as  negative,  and  with  the  same  result. 

"  May  9.  In  Philadelphia,  a  sound  No.  12  could  be  easily 
passed  into  the  bladder,  which  proves  that  the  stricture  is  cured. 
The  patient  has  been  kept  under  observation  for  two  years,  and 
was  seen  only  two  weeks  ago;  he  is  perfectly  well ;  has  been 
married  since,  and  is  the  father  of  a  healthy  child. — [Impotence 
cured. — Pitzer.  ] 

Case  2129. —  Gonorrhoea  and  Stricture. — Julv,  1S72  :  M. 
M. ,  merchant,  has  a  gonorrhoea  for  four  months,  which  has  been 
aggravated  by  strong  injections,  which  was  followed  by  phymo- 
sis  and  epididymitis.  On  examination,  found  a  large  urethra  ;  at 
one  and  a  half  inches  a  stricture  which  permits  the  passage  of  a 
No.  9  sound;  at  five  inches  a  soreness  is  encountered,  which 
was  afterwards  diagnosticated  by  means  of  the  endoscope,  as 
granular  urethritis.  After  proper  treatment  of  the  complica- 
tions, the  stricture  was  cured  by  electrolysis  in  three  seances,  as 
follows: 

"July  30.  Galvanic  battery  ten  cells.  The  bougie  No.  12 
absorbed  the  stricture  in  five  minutes. 

"Aug.  17.  Bougie  No.  13  passed  the  stricture  in  five  minutes, 
during  which  the  galvanic  current  was  gradually  increased  to 
fourteen  cells. 

"  Sept.  14.  Galvanism  with  nine  cells  for  eight  minutes.  Bou- 
gie No.  15  passed  through  the  whole  urethra  slowl}'. 

"  Patient  was  ordered  to  introduce  sometimes  a  No.  15,  with 
an  ointment,  in  order  to  overcome  and  heal  the  soreness  of  the 
urethra. 

"  He  has  been  seen  since  frequently,  and  during  the  twenty 
months  following  the  electrolytic  treatment  no  relapse  has 
occurred. 

"This  is  a  typical  case,  in  which  circumstances  permitted  the 
treatment  to  be  carried  out  as  recommended  in  a  former  part 
of  this  paper.  The  urethra  of  this  patient  has  retained  the  cali- 
bre of  No.  15. 

"Case  2155 — Ojie  Stricttirc  and  Glcct. — Nov.,  1S72  :  Mr. 
P.  had  gonorrhoea  fifteen  years  ago;  cystitis  with  hiematuria 
one  year  ago,  and  since  a  serous  discharge,  with  diminished 
stream  of  water. 


Electricity   and    Electrical    Apparatus.  167 

"Found  one  stricture  one  inch  from  meatus,  which  was  cured 
with  electrolysis  in  two  sittings.  Patient  has  left  the  city,  and 
has  not  been  heard  from  since.  ^^r    o 

"■Cxs^2i62.—  Got?orrhceal  Stricture.— V>qc.^  1672:  VV .  K. 
B.,  clerk,  had  gonorrhoea  last  spring.  The  discharge  ran  for 
five  months.  Last  week  had  connection,  and  found  on  the  tol- 
lowincy  day  a  discharge  ;  it  has  now  run  slightly  for  one  week  ; 
stream  of  water  is  small ;  straining  troublesome  ;  bougie  a  boule 
enters  into  a  pouch  at  two  and  a  half  inches;  sound  No.  11  en- 
counters a  stricture  at  five  and  a  half  inches  ;  therefore,  it  seems 
that  the  discharge  emerges  behind  the  stricture  and  is  caused  by 
it.  Conclusion  is,  the  cure  of  the  stricture  will  remove  the  dis- 
charoe.  Two  galvanic  applications  were  made  at  intervals  of 
four  weeks,  after  which  a  bougie  No.  13  passed  the  whole  ure- 
thra easily.  The  patient  was  dismissed  as  cured  on  Jan.  21, 
1873.      He   has   remained  under  observation  and  is   perfectly 

well.  TT       T3       O 

"  Case  2iG\.— Simple  Stricture.— Dec.  30,  1672  :  hi.  13.  b., 
from  Connecticut;  defective  history;  has  one  stricture  at  two 
and  a  half  inches,  which  was  restored  to  a  normal  state  m  one 
seance  ;  on  a  subsequent  visit  was  found  well. 

"Case  3165.— 77«ree  Strictures.—Dec.  30,1872:  S.  J., 
saloonkeeper,  was  brought  to  my  office  by  Dr.  Good. 

"  The  patient  has  had  strictures  for  a  long  time,  which  resist 
all  dilatation ;  are  tough,  and  cause  painful  micturition,  with  a 
small  stream. 

"Whalebone  bougie  c\  boule  finds  three  distinct  strictures  at 
two,  four,  and  five  and  a  half  inches,  of  a  parchment  feel.  _  _ 

"  Galvanism  was  applied;  the  sponge  electrode  as  positive 
pole  was  pressed  in  the  iliac  region,  and  a  bougie  with  metaUic 
bulb  pushed  into  the  urethra  as  the  negative  pole.  In  six  min- 
utes, with  the  current  of  fourteen  cells,  all  strictures  were  over- 
come. Immediately  after  the  operation,  he  passed  water  with- 
out pain  or  difficulty.  The  stream  was  full,  and  larger  than  he 
has  had  for  many  years.     The  patient  has   not  been  heard  from 

Since 

"Case  zi^g.— Stricture  of  Three  Tears'  Standi?zg.  —  '^^n., 
1873-  T  G.,  from  Missouri,  has  a  bad  stricture  at  five  and  a 
half  inches,   of    three  years'   standing,  caused  by  a  prolonged 

gonorrhoea.  j    1   i       .1 

"The  treatment  was  tedious,  and  was  retarded  by  the  pa- 
tient's imprudence.  At  last  the  galvanism  absorbed  the  strict- 
ure, so  that  a  sound  No.  15  could  be  introdviced  easily  into  the 
urethra.  The  patient  went  home  after  three  months'  treatment, 
and  has  since  reported  well.  r^    o    ts 

Case  2i<^2.— Three  Strictures.— A\^x\\  16,  1873:     G.  i?.  i3., 


i68  Electric rrv  and  Electrical    Apparatus. 

from  Oneida  Co.,  was  sent  to  me  by  Dr.  Good.  Bougie  a  boule 
discovered  three  distinct  strictures  at  two  and  three-quarter 
inches,  at  three  and  three-quarter  inches,  and  at  six  and  a  half 
inches  respectively.  In  withdrawing  the  small  bougie  No.  4,  it 
remained  engaged  in  the  second  stricture,  and  was  decidedly 
fibrous.  Strong  fibrous  bands  held  the  extremity  of  the  bougie 
firmly,  and  to  disengage  it,  it  was  almost  necessary  to  rupture 
that  stricture  to  a  certain  extent. 

"The  electrolvtic  action  was  applied  as  in  the  other  cases, 
and  the  bougie  No.  8  connected  with  the  negative  pole  passed 
slovvly  through  all  the  strictures  in  five  minutes.  The  patient 
reappeared  two  days  afterwards,  and  reports  marked  improve- 
ment. He  says  he  must  return  home,  and  therefore  wishes  an- 
other galvanic  application.  It  is  against  all  rules  to  repeat  such 
an  operation  after  so  brief  an  interval ;  but  necessity  knows  no 
rules.  The  patient  had  to  go  home,  and  felt  so  much  better 
after  the  first  operation  that  he  desired  a  repetition,  and  prom- 
ised to  return  as  soon  as  necessary.  Therefore  an  exception 
from  the  rule  wns  made,  and  the  galvanism  applied  again  with 
an  excellent  result.  The  bougie  No.  11  passed  slowly  through 
all  the  strictures  in  four  and  a  half  minutes.  The  patient  passed 
a  full  stream  of  water,  and  felt  marked  relief.  Before  his  de- 
parture home  on  the  next  day,  he  came  again  to  state  that  he  is 
well,  feeling  no  soreness  or  fatigue.  I  heard  from  him  in  the 
fall,  and  he  reported  well. 

"Case  2204.  —  Stricture  and  Gleet. — June,  1S73:  J.  R., 
saloon-keeper,  is  near  his  wedding;  has  a  gonorrhoea,  which, 
under  the  treatment  of  a  druggist,  grew  worse  ;  has  also  an  ab- 
scess in  the  glans,  near  the  frenum  ;  has  fever  and  pain  in  con- 
sequence of  the  inflamed  urethra.  After  subduing  the  inflam- 
mation by  internal  means,  the  discharge  continues.  On  examina- 
tion with  a  bougie  cl  boule.,  a  stricture  was  found  at  four  inches. 
There  was  a  contraction,  a  hard,  fibrous  resistance.  Galvanism 
applied  ;  positive  in  hand,  bougie  No.  11  in  urethra  as  negative, 
soon  passed  the  stricture.  Then  an  injection  of  water  brought 
by  its  return  a  large  semi-solid  white  mass,  looking  like  dead 
skin  thrown  off.  This  was  the  product  of  the  galvanic  action, 
the  real  stricture  absorbed.  It  had  an  alkaline  reaction,  fibrous 
in  appearance,  and  looked  like  the  core  of  a  carbuncle.  There 
is  no  doubt  that  a  former  gonorrhoea  had  caused  the  stricture, 
behind  which  a  pouch  had  formed,  which  acted  as  a  receptacle, 
and  created  a  discharge,  by  which  means  the  stricture  grew 
worse.  Now  it  is  natural  that  no  remedies  adapted  to  gonor- 
rhoea or  gleet  could  have  stopped  the  discharge  ;  but  the  treat- 
ment of  the  stricture  cured  the  gonorrhoea.  The  patient  felt  no 
pain   from    the   operation,  and  was  easier  immediately.     Two 


Electricity  axd    Electrical    Apparatus.  169 

days  afterwards  a  sound  No.  I3  passed  into  the  bladder,  and  no 
discharfe  followed.  He  married,  received  afterwards  a  little 
treatment,  and  all  went  on  well.  He  has  been  under  constant 
observation,  and  has  remained  in  good  health. 

"Case  222^.  — Three  Stricticres. — Sept.,  1S73  :  Mr.  E.  S., 
New  Haven,  about  twenty  years  since  had  a  gonorrhoea ;  was 
treated  only  with  medicines  ;  had  no  injections  and  finally  re- 
covered. Twelve  years  ago  had  renal  difficulties ;  passed  acid 
formations  from  the  kidneys,  but  never  passed  calculi.  Two 
years  ago  the  stream  of  water  grew  smaller  by  degrees,  and 
sometimes  he  could  not  void  urine  at  all.  Was  treated  for 
stricture,  but  was  not  relieved.  On  examination,  the  bougie  a 
boule  encounters  three  strictures  : 

"  Firsts  at  three  and  one-eighth  inches,  which  is  overcome  by 
rotating,  and  directing  the  points  to  the  anterior  wall  of  the  ure- 
thra. The  bougie  is  not  caught  on  the  return,  but  slips  easily 
back. 

"  Second,  at  five  and  a  half  inches,  from  which  point  the 
calibre  of  the  urethra  remains  narrowed  until  the 

"  jy^/rc^  stricture,  at  six  and  a  quarter  inches,  which  is  only 
overcome  by  bending  into  the  curve,  and  slowly  pushing  and 
pressing  forward.     This  last  is  the  worst  stricture. 

"Oct.  3. — ^  Galvanic  battery  used.  A  No.  13  bougie,  with 
metal  bulb  as  negative  pole,  passed  through  all  the  strictures  in 
four  minutes.  The  bougie,  during  the  action  of  electrolysis, 
was  firmly  grasped  by  the  strictures,  and  even  by  the  prostate, 
and  advanced  slowly  and  by  degrees  into  the  bladder,  so  that  the 
full  measure  of  the  bougie  introduced  was  ten  inches.  The  bat- 
tery used  was  very  weak,  and  therefore  twenty  cells  were  in 
operation.  The  positive  sponge  electrode  was  held  in  the  palm 
of  the  hand.     The  electrolysis  was  kept  up  seven  minutes  in  all. 

"  Oct.  21. — Galvanic  application  repeated  as  before  ;  nine  cells 
for  ten  minutes.  The  bougie  No.  15  as  negative  had  scarcely 
any  difficulty,  and  entered  soon  through  all  the  strictures. 

"Oct.  31. — Slight  galvanization.  Bougie  No.  15  entered 
easily,  without  detention  or  pain.  The  patient  passes  a  large 
stream  of  water  now.  For  other  ailments  he  is  still  under  treat- 
ment, but  the  urethra  has  had  no  relapse. 

Other  cases  have  been  treated  recently,  and  the  record  would 
not  be  so  valuable,  but  I  believe  the  clinical  facts  here  recorded 
are  sufficient  basis  for  the  theory  elicited  in  the  first  part  of  this 
paper.  And  in  conclusion,  I  can  only  repeat  that  I  only  recom- 
mend the  first  method  as  a  perfectly  safe  one  ;  and  the  success 
of  the  electrolysis  depends  mainly  on  the  chemical  decomposi- 
tion or  absorption  by  mild  currents,  very  gradually  increased, 
and  repeated  at  sufficiently  long  intervals. 

"New  York,  Feb.,  1S74.  Robert  Newman,  M.  D." 


170  Electricity   and   Electrical   Apparatus. 

"Since  my  last  report  was  written,  August,  1S82,  almost 
daily  new  cases  have  been  presented,  and  treated  with  the  same 
uniform  success  as  related  in  the  former  paper.  Scarcely  any 
simple  cases  came,  and  most  of  them  were  the  worst  and  most 
aggravated  strictures  which  can  come  under  observation,  and 
many  patients  were  accompanied  by  their  family  physicians,  who 
acknowledged  that  they  could  not  pass  such  strictures  with  any 
instrument,  no  matter  how  small.  In  all  case  the  strictures  were 
passed  by  the  electric  bougie.  This  means  that  the  absorbent 
power  of  the  electrolysis  enabled  that  size  of  the  instrument  to 
pass,  which  could  not  have  been  done  without  the  aid  of  the 
electrolysis.  To  illustrate  this  power  and  the  method,  some  se- 
lected cases  will  be  related  here  : 

"Case  i. — Six  Strictio'es  of  Twenty-five  Years'  Standing ,  Im- 
passahle  hy  Instniment!^,  Cured  by  Electrolysis. 

"  October,  1SS3,  Dr.  D.,  set.  57  years,  a  regular  physician, 
practicing  in  Long  Island,  suffered  witti  stricture  of  the  urethra 
for  over  twenty-five  years,  and  has  been  treated  off  and  on,  in 
the  usual  manner,  with  only  temporary  relief.  He  noticed  the 
stricture  first  in  1S57,  which  gradually  became  worse.  Since 
1S77  he  has  been  under  the  care  of  one  of  the  most  eminent 
surgeons,  lately  deceased,  who  during  these  years  never  could 
pass  an  instrument  through  all  the  strictures  into  the  bladder. 

"  18S2,  October  17th. — Patient  came  under  iny  treatment, 
complaining  of  having  scarcely  a  stream  of  water  at  all,  not  be- 
ing able  to  use  a  force  sufficient  to  propel  the  water.  The 
stream  is  very  small,  almost  diminished  to  a  dribble.  Penis  is 
cold  and  flabby.  Meatus  is  large,  admitting  a  sound  No.  26, 
French.  A  small  whalebone  bozigie  d  boitle  detects  the  whole 
urethra  in  an  indurated  state,  scarcely  free  from  strictures  any- 
where. The  whole  canal  is  a  mass  of  strictures,  with  little  in- 
termissions, and  the  small  bulb  is  arrested  everywhere.  The 
bougie  passed  with  ditficulty  three  distinct  strictures,  and  was 
firmly  grasped  and  arrested  at  the  fourth,  at  five  inches  from  the 
meatus.     No  instrument  would  pass  this  fourth  stricture. 

"  I.  Electrolysis. — The  patient  was  kept  standing,  resting 
himself  with  one  hand  on  the  back  of  a  chair,  the  other  hand 
holding  the  electrode  from  the  positive  pole  of  the  battery,  and 
pressing  the  wet  sponge  cover  against  the  thigh.  A  stiff  elec- 
trode bougie,  insulated,  except  the  metal  end,  egg  shaped,  No. 
II,  French,  is  introduced  into  the  urethra,  the  other  end  of  the 
bougie  is  connected  with  the  wire,  which  in  turn  is  connected 
with  and  used  as  the  negative  pole  of  the  battery,  and  completes 
the  circuit.  As  soon  as  the  bougie  is  arrested  by  the  first  strict- 
ure, the  current  of  the  electricity  is  slowly  increased  cell  by  cell, 
till   the   susceptibility  of  the   patient   tells   that   the    current   is 


Electricity  and    Electrical    Apparatus.  i^i 

strong  enough,  without  causing  pain.  During  this  seance  ten 
cells  were  used  for  twenty  minutes.  There  was  slow  progress, 
but  the  electricity  worked  its  way  through  all  the  stiictures,  and 
at  last  entered  the  bladder.  The  current  was  kept  up  while  the 
bougie  was  being  withdrawn,  and  was  held  loosely  in  each 
stricture  till  it  could  be  moved  easily,  and  it  was  distinctly  felt 
that  the  contraction  was  absorbed.  The  bougie  was  neither 
pushed  nor  pulled,  only  guided  by  two  fingers  of  the  hand. 
The  work  was  thereby  done  entirely  by  the  galvanism,  without 
causing  any  pain  nor  a  particle  of  hemorrhage.  The  patient 
was  much  pleased  with  the  result,  and  passed  water  immediately 
in  a  good  full  stream.  From  this  operation  the  seat  of  the  strict- 
ures was  ascertained  to  be  as  follows  : 

"First  stricture,  at  if  inches  from  the  meatus;  second,  at  2^; 
third,  at  4^  ;  fourth,  at  5  ;  fifth,  at  5|-;  sixth,  at  7. 

'■'■  November  8th. — Since  the  last  operation,  a-bout  three  weeks 
ago,  patient  has  attended  to  his  practice,  and  has  felt  better  than 
for  many  years. 

"II.  Electrolysis  was  used  in  the  same  manner  as  before,  with 
an  electrode  bougie.  No.  14,  French,  which  passed  through  all 
the  strictures  in  ten  minutes,  while  a  current  of  ten  cells  was 
working. 

'■'■  November  LStli.  III.  Electrolysis  with  a  conical  sound  Xo. 
17,  as  the  negative  pole,  which  after  passing  was  replaced  by  a 
No.  17,  French  egg-shaped  bulb.  In  withdrawing,  the  latter 
worked  up  and  absorbed  each  stricture  in  turn,  so  that  the  instru- 
ment could  be  moved  about  freely  without  any  restriction  ;  ten 
cells  were  used  for  thireen  minutes.  To  use  two  electrodes  in 
succession  during  one  seance  is  against  the  rules,  but  was  indi- 
cated in  this  case  as  an  exception. 

^^  December  22nd.,  1SS3.  IV.  EJeotrolysis. — Bougie  No.  20, 
French,  with  ten  cells  for  ten  minutes.  Strictures  were  tight, 
but  offer  less  resistance,  and  bougie  soon  passed  through  all  of 
them.     There  is  much  improvenient. 

^^  i8S^,  Jamtary  3th. — Electrolysis.  —  Bougie  No.  3i  passed 
easily ;  nine  cells  for  twelve  minutes. 

'■'•  January  19th.  VI.  Electrolysi'S. — Bougie  No.  23  for  twelve 
minutes,  with  a  current  of  eight  cells,  passed,  but  had  to  work 
each  stricture  separately. 

'■'■  February  13th.  VII.  Electrolysis. — Bougie  No.  26,  French, 
with  seven  cells  for  eleven  minutes,  passed  more  easily  than  ever 
before.  In  four  minutes  had  worked  through  all  strictures,  and 
passed  into  the  bladder.  Not  the  slightest  pain  was  occasioned. 
The  patient  is  in  excellent  health,  has  regained  a  natural  stream 
of  water  with  good  force,  and  says  he  feels  better  now  than  he 
ever  did  during  the  last  twenty-five  years.  Is  well  in  every 
respect. 


172  Electricity  and    Electrical    Apparatus. 

"  Case  II. — Four  Strictures  Fifteen  Years   Old,  ^oith  Inconti- 
nence of  Urine. 

"  October  17th,  1882. — Mr.  B.,  from  Jersey,  was  brought  to 
my  office  by  Dr.  Field.  The  patient  has  suffered  for  fifteen 
years  without  being  cured  by  the  usual  methods.  He  is  now  run 
down,  very  weak,  has  lost  flesh,  is  never  free  from  pain,  is  con- 
stantly straining,  and  can  neither  pass  water  nor  retain  it.  The 
urine  dribbles  away  constantly  from  overflow,  and  thereby  exco- 
riates the  tender  skin,  notwithstanding  that  the  patient  wears  a 
urinal.  The  patient  passes  sleepless  nights,  and  is  in  constant 
agony.  At  present  no  instrument  will  pass.  On  examination,  I 
found  that  no  instrument  would  pass  the  strictures.  The  e-s.- 
i^Xovin^  bojtgie  d  bottle  encountered  a  mass  of  hard  strictures, 
which  were  passed  only  by  manipulation,  and  with  difficulty, 
and  was  soon  aiTcsted.  Then  a  small  filiform  guide  entered 
everywhere  into  lacunse,  which  bled  on  ever  so  careful  an  exami- 
nation, and  at  five  inches  from  the  meatus  no  instrument  would 
pass  any  further.  The  family  physician  present  said  he  knew 
that  no  instrument  would  pass  any  further  than  five  inches.  If 
he  had  been  able  to  pass  it,  he  would  not  have  brought  the  pa- 
tient to  me.  Electrolysis  was  then  tried.  The  patient  was 
placed  on  the  operating  table  in  a  half  recumbent  position.  The 
positive  sponge  electrode  was  held  on  the  abdomen  ;  the  nega- 
tive pole,  in  the  form  of  a  No.  14  French  bougie,  was  inserted 
into  the  urethra.  The  electric  current  was  gradually  increased 
to  eleven  cells,  and  during  seven  minutes  the  bougie  made 
steady  progress,  advancing  slowly,  and  working  its  way  into  the 
bladder,  to  the  great  relief  of  everybody  present.  There  were 
four  distinct  strictures,  at  three  and  a  half,  five,  six  and  a  half, 
and  eight  inches  respectively  from  the  meatus. 

"  October  27th. — Filiform  bougie  was  tried  in  vain,  it  hung  in 
lacunae  everywhere,  and  fearing  to  cause  too  much  irritation  it 
was  abandoned.  A  whalebone  bougie  No.  8  passed  easily  into 
the  bladder. 

"Electrolysis  was  used,  with  a  bougie  No.  14,  French,  which, 
with  a  power  of  seven  cells,  worked  slowly  through  all  the 
strictures.  The  third  stricture  was  very  tight.  Present,  Drs. 
Field,  Payne  and  Brush. 

"  The  electrolytic  applications  were  continued  at  intervals  of 
ten  days.  In  four  seances  up  to  November  zSth,  the  patient  has 
so  much  improved  that  he  has  gained  fifteen  pounds  of  flesh, 
which  gives  him  normal  weight;  the  water  passes  freely;  the 
bladder  is  entirely  inider  control,  and  the  urinal  discarded.  He 
is  well,  attends  to  his  business,  and  enjoys  life. 

"  Case  III. — Four  Strictures  of  Ihoenty  Years'  Standing  Cured 
by  Four  Seances  of  Electrolysis. 

"" November  14th,  1SS2. — Telor  T.,  get.  62  years,  residing    in 


Electricity   and    Electrical   Apparatus.  173 

New  York  City,  came  to  me  with  a  complete  occlusion  of  the 
urethra,  and  consequent  retention  of  urine.  Has  suffered  twenty 
years  with  strictures,  a  consequence  of  urethritis.  No  treatment 
has  cured  him.  The  strictures  became  worse,  so  that  recently 
he  is  in  constant  pain,  having  hacl  retention  and  incontinence 
at  the  same  time,  the  water  constantly  dribbling  away,  and  in- 
capacitating him  for  any  work.  The  smallest  instrument  would 
not  pass  the  stricture,  but  an  electrode  bougie.  No.  14,  French, 
worked  its  way  slowly,  with  the  power  of  twelve  cells  for  seven- 
teen minutes,  through  all  the  strictures  and  into  the  bladder. 
Present,  Drs.  Meier  and  Basset. 

'■'■December  20th. — After  three  electrolytic  applications,  the 
patient  says  that  his  stream  is  large,  and  he  is  better  in  every 
way  than  for  the  last  twenty  years.  Soon  after  a  bougie  No.  23, 
French,  passed  easily. 

Case  IV. — Stricture  of  Ten  Years  —  Rupture  (Partial)  of 
Urethra. 

^  18S3,  February  20th. — Dr.  Munson,  of  Bridgeport,  had  the 
kindness  to  bring  this  interesting  case  to  my  office,  with  the  fol- 
lowing history:  Mr.  A.,  aet.  36  years,  suffered  from  a  stricture  of 
over  ten  years  standing,  a  consequence  of  urethritis,  which  off 
and  on  closes  up.  He  is  an  inventor,  and  made  himself  an  in- 
strument for  the  dilatation  of  the  stricture,  consisting  of  a  steel 
rod,  surrounded  by  a  spiral  spring,  which  by  turning  was  in- 
serted into  the  stricture  like  a  corkscrew.  He  felt  the  stricture 
closing  up  entirely,  and  used  his  instrument  as  he  had  done 
before.  In  giving  another  twist,  he  ruptured  the  urethra,  which 
caused  severe  pain  and  hemorrhage.  Micturition  could  only  be 
performed  imperfectly,  merely  by  an  overflow  of  the  bladder, 
causing  a  dribbling  away.  The  patient  vvas^brought  to  my  office 
by  his  family  physician,  Dr.  Munson.  From  the  history  of  the 
case  it  was  evident  that  the  treatment  most  indicated  for  relief 
would  be  perineal  section,  but  as  the  patient  needed  immediate 
relief,  I  tried  the  introduction  of  instruments  into  the  urethra. 
Whalebone  bougies  d  bonle  and  guides  of  different  sizes  would 
not  enter  further  than  five  inches,  the  seat  of  the  stricture  and 
rupture.  Each  guide  entered  and  stuck  in  some  of  the  pouches, 
but  none  entered  or  passed  the  stricture.  Therefore  the  filiforms 
were  abandoned  for  fear  of  creating  more  irritation  and  hemor- 
rhage, and  direct  electrolysis  tried.  An  electric  bougie  No.  I3, 
French,  as  negative  pole,  was  carefully  introduced  and  manipu- 
lated in  tne  u"°thra,  while  the  positive  sponge  electrode,  held 
above  the  pubes,  closed  the  circuit  of  a  galvanic  battery  of  which 
seven  cells  were  used.  The  bulb  of  the  electrode  glided  by 
manipulation  over  the  partial  rupture  of  the  urethra  and  en- 
gaged itself  in  the  stricture,  where  it  advanced  slowly,  absorbing 


174  Electricity   and   Electrical  Apparatus. 

and  finally  passing.  The  patient  was  nervous,  but  held  still, 
felt  each  movement  as  the  bougie  advanced,  without  any  pain, 
nor  was  a  drop  or  a  show  of  blood  drawn.  Immediately  after 
this  operation,  the  patient  passed  a  steady,  good  stream  of 
water,  such  as  he  had  not  seen  for  years. 

"  The  electrolysis  was  used  for  ten  minutes.  Rectal  supposi- 
tories of  belladonna  were  ordered. 

^'  March  Gth. — Since  the  operation  the  patient  has  felt  com- 
fortable, and  the  stream  of  water  has  increased  in  size.  Elec- 
trolysis, with  a  bougie  No.  14,  French,  was  worked  for  twenty 
minutes  with  eleven  cells,  and  passed  the  stricture  slowly,  ab- 
sorbing considerably  the  indurated  masses.  On  April  loth,  Dr. 
Munson  reported  the  patient  much  improved,  and  doing  well. 

"Aggravated  cases,  like  the  foregoing,  and  others  with  differ- 
ent complications,  I  see  often,  almost  daily,  so  that  I  could 
tabulate  hundreds  of  them.  The  operation  never  causes  pain, 
nor  detention  from  ordinary  business,  which  often  surprises  the 
patient.  A  physician  residing  in  Connecticut  wrote  me  on  his 
return  home  :  "I  was  much  surprised  to  find  that  there  was  less 
irritation  after  the  use  of  electricity  than  after  the  introduction 
of  the  simple  sound.  The  annoyance  caused  by  the  electricity 
was  simply  zero." 

"  Since  my  article  was  written  last  summer,  I  have  received 
many  reports  from  eminent  practitioners  that  they  have  either 
adopted  my  method,  or  have  practiced  it  independently  with 
equal  success.  Among  others,  Dr.  D.  A.  Farrand,  of  Detroit, 
Mich.,  writes,  Oct.  6th,  1S83,  that  after  reading  my  article,  he 
has  operated  with  electolysis  on  about  eighteen  strictures  with 
very  gratifj-ing  results.  Great  pleasure  was  given  me  in  a  letter 
from  Dr.  Hutchinson,  of  Providence,  dated  September  2Sth, 
1SS2,  in  which  he  says  he  has  operated  in  21  cases  in  the  last 
six  months  with  unvarying  success. 

"  By  the  unique  good  results,  the  method  of  electrolysis  in  the 
treatment  of  strictures  is  fully  tried  and  established  ;  every  day 
brings  new  converts  and  new  friends. 

"  I  will  conclude  this  article  with  some  rules,  as  a  safe  guide 
to  practitioners  who  wish  to  adopt  the  treatment  of  electrolysis 
in  stricture  of  the  urethra,  which  will  also  serve  as  answers  to 
numerous  questions  received  from  correspondents. 

"  For  the  positive  pole  of  the  battery  a  carbon  electrode  is 
used,  covered  with  sponge,  moistened  with  warm  water,  and 
held  firmly  against  the  cutaneous  surface  of  the  patient's  hand, 
thigh  or  abdomen. 

"  For  the  absorption  of  the  stricture  the  negative  pole  is  al- 
ways used. 

"Electrode  bougies  are  firm  sounds  insulated,  with  a  hard- 


Electricity   axd    Electrical    Apparatus. 


/D 


baked  mass  of  rubber ;  the  point  is  a  metal  bulb,  egg-shaped, 
which  is  the  acting  part  in  contact  with  the  stricture.  These 
electrode  bougies  are  made  by  Geo.  Tieman  &  Co.,  as  also  by 
H.  H.  Stammers,  and  other  instrument  makers.* 

"  The  curve  of  the  bougie  is  short;  large  curves  are  mistakes. 

"  The  plates  must  be  mimersed  in  the  battery  flui-d  before  the 
electrodes  are  placed  on  the  patient,  and  raised  again  after  the 
electrodes  have  been  removed. 

"  All  operations  must  begin  and  end  while  the  battery  is  at 
zero,  increasing  and  decreasing  the  power  of  the  current  slowly 
and  gradually  ;  avoiding  any  shock  to  the  patient,  or  any  inter- 
ruption of  the  current. 

"Before  operating,  the  susceptibility  of  the  patient  to  the 
electric  current  should  be  ascertained. 

"The  problem  is  to  absorb  the  stricture,  not  to  cauterize. 

"At  first  it  is  best  to  operate  only  by  the  first  method  of  ab- 
sorption, '  iveak  currents  at  long  i?itervals.' 

"The  exact  number  of  cells  to  be  used  can  not  be  given,  it 
must  be  regulated  according  to  the  work  to  be  done.  As  a 
general  rule"  six  to  twelve  cells  may  be  used. 

"  The  seances  should  be  held  at  intervals,  not  too  frequent 
in  succession. 

"  The  best  position  for  the  patient  to  assume  during  the  opera- 
tion is  that  which  is  most  comfortable  for  him  and  the  operator. 

"  I  prefer  the  erect  posture,  but  the  recumbent,  or  others,  may 
be  used. 

"Anesthetics  I  like  to  avoid;  I  want  the  patient  conscious,  so 
that  he  can  tell  how  he  feels. 

"Force  should  never  be  used;  the  bougie  must  be  guided  in 
the  most  gentle  way ;  the  electricity  alone  must  be  allowed  to 
do  the  work. 

"  During  one  seance  two  electrodes  in  succession  should  never 
be  used. 

"All  strictures  are  amenable  to  the  treatment  by  electrolysis. 

"Pain  should  never  be  inflicted  by  the  use  of  electrolysis; 
therefore  it  should  not  be  applied  when  the  urethra  is  in  an  acute 
or  even  subacute  inflammatory  condition.  In  order  to  have  suc- 
cess with  strictures  it  is  necessary  to  be  a  skilful  surgeon,  who 
understands  the  anatomy,  and  is  master  in  handling  the  instru- 
ments. For  our  purpose  the  operator  must  also  oe  an  expert 
in  electricity  besides  a  surgeon.  Some  of  our  young  men 
consider  themselves  surgeons  after  buying  a  new  set  of 
instruments  in  a  rosewood  case.  If  they  do  an  operation 
bunglingly  they  condemn  a  good  method.     And  some  old  men 

*Aloe  &  Hernstein,  of  St.  Louis,  keep  them. 


176  Electricity   and    Electrical    Apparatus. 

never  wish  to  adopt  any  innovation,  because  they  have  not 
learned  it  at  college.  But  old  men  must  die  off,  and  progress 
can  not  be  hemmed  in. 

"New  York,  May,  1883.  Robert  Newman,  M.  D." 

We  regfard  this  method  of  treating:  stricture  of  the  urethra  of 
great  value,  and  since  the  appearance  of  the  first  edition  of  our 
work  on  electricity  we  have  verified  the  truth  of  Dr.  Newman's 
methods,  and  regard  his  papers  as  a  valuable  addition  to  electro- 
therapeutics, or  electro-surgery,  as  we  may  please  to  call  it. 

G.  W.  Overall,  M.  D.,  in  a  clinical  report  to  the  Mississtp'pi 
Valley  Medical  Monthly,  gives  us  a  very  good  example  of  this 
treatment.     It  is  Prof.  Newman's  method,  and  reads  as  follows: 

"  Gextlemex: — I  have  before  you  C.  L.,  white,  aged  forty- 
four,  Canadian  by  birth,  tailor  by  occupation.  His  history  is 
briefly  as  follows :  In  1863  he  had  gonorrhoea  ;  in  1870  the  first 
symptoms  of  stricture  were  manifested;  in '74  he  was  operated 
upon  by  gradual  dilatation,  which  treatment  lasted  six  months. 
He  then  began  to  have  incontinence  of  urine  and  suffer  consid- 
erable pain  on  micturition.  In  about  five  months  thereafter  he 
again  found  that  he  could  not  pass  his  urine  without  considera- 
ble difficulty.  This  condition  continued  until  187S,  when  he 
was  operated  on  by  urethrotomy  and  dilatation.  The  caliber 
was  kept  patulous  for  about  two  years,  when  it  again  closed,  and 
he  has  been  suffering  with  his  urine  percolating,  drop  at  a  time, 
ever  since.  When  admitted  to  the  hospital  a  few  days  ago,  he 
was  having  paroxysms  of  intermittent  fever,  in  addition  to  his 
stricture. 

"  I  find,  on  examination,  that  the  meatus  is  very  much  con- 
tracted, and  as  the  stricture  will  not  admit  a  No.  i  sound  (Am. 
scale),  I  will  take  a  very  small  olive,  equal  in  size  to  about  a 
No.  6  sound  ;  I  will  screw  this  on  to  the  end  of  my  stiff  urethral 
electrode,  which  is  insulated  with  vulcanized  rubber.  I  much 
prefer  this  to  the  flexible.  I  use  the  constant  or  galvanic  cur- 
rent, attaching  the  urethral  electrode  to  the  cathode,  while  I  at- 
tach the  sponge  electrode  to  the  anode,  which  the  patient  holds 
in  his  hand. 

"  I  now  pass  the  electrode  into  the  urethra,  before  the  current 
is  made,  and  continue  it  down  till  it  comes  in  contact  with  the 
stricture.  I  make  the  current  with  four  cells  in  the  circuit. 
He  does  not  feel  this  in  the  urethra,  so  I  will  increase  the  num- 
ber, one  cell  at  a  time,  until  I  now  have  nine  cells,  and  he  feels 
a  slight  pricking  sensation .  It  is  important  to  note  the  time  the 
current  passes.      I  increase  the  number  of  cells  to  twelve.     He 


Electricity   and    Electrical    Apparatus.  177 

still  suffers  no  pain.  I  keep  the  electrode  pressed  firmly,  but 
not  using  any  force,  against  the  stricture.  The  current  has  been 
passing  eight  minutes,  and  I  can  feel  the  electrode  entering 
the  stricture.  It  is  now  seventeen  minutes  since  the  operation 
was  begun,  and  it  haspassed  into  the  stricture  about  an  inch,  but 
not  entirely  through.  Although  he  has  no  pain,  the  current  has 
passed  as  long  as  is  practicable,  so  I  withdraw  it,  having  pre- 
viously broken  the  circuit.  I  do  not  pass  it  longer,  as  it  might 
be  followed  by  hemorrhage  and  slight  inflammation.  I  intro- 
duce a  No.  II  sound.  It  passes  as  far  as  the  electrode  did,  but 
no  further.  We  will  now  allow  him  to  pass  his  urine,  and  see  if 
he  can  pass  it  any  better.  It  only  passes  in  drops,  as  before  the 
operation,  but  he  says  it  drops  faster  than  it  did  previously.  He 
has  no  hemorrhage  nor  pain.  The  operation  is  not  complete, 
so  I  will  have  to  finish  it  in  about  six  or  seven  days. 

"April  19th.  Dr.  Watson  (the  resident  hospital  physician), 
as  well  as  the  patient  himself,  tells  me  that  on  the  morning  of 
the  13th,  the  day  after  the  operation,  he  passed  a  very  good 
stream,  and  has  continued  to  do  so  since.*  I  now  introduce  a 
No.  13  sound,  and  find  that  it  does  not  pass  further  than  the 
electrode  did  at  the  previous  operation.  I  pass  the  urethral 
electrode  with  an  olive  on  the  end,  equal  to  a  No.  11  sound,  and 
make  the  current  with  six  cells,  then  increase  to  nine,  when  he 
begins  to  feel  the  pricking  sensation.  The  electrode  passes  into 
the  bladder;  I  break  the  current,  withdraw  the  instrument,  in- 
troduce a  No.  13  sound,  and  find  that  it  passes  into  the  blad- 
der without  meeting  with  any  resistance.  I  will  allow  Dr. 
Watson  to  enlarge  the  meatus,  when  a  much  larger  sound  can 
be  introduced. 

"One  peculiarity  of  this  operation  is  that  the  caliber  of  the 
urethra,  where  the  stricture  was  before  the  operation,  is  gener- 
ally larger  than  any  other  portion  of  the  canal.  The  patient 
has  been  working  in  the  hospital  ever  since  the  operation,  and 
says  he  can  pass  as  large  a  stream  as  he  eveT  could,  and  without 
any  trouble.  I  now  consider  him  entirely  cured.  You  very 
naturally  ask,  how  does  the  current  act  towards  effecting  a  curcf* 
I  have  shown  you,  in  my  experiments  at  a  previous  lecture,  the 
electrolytic  effects  of  the  galvanic  current  in  passing  through 
different  salts  in  solution.  I  took,  as  you  remember,  the  chlo- 
rides of  pot.  and  sod.,  etc.,  and  by  passing  the  current  through 
them  they  were  decomposed  into  their  chemical  elements  —  the 
electro-negative  elements,   as   chlorine,  oxygen,  the  acids,  etc., 

*  The  resident  physiciau  informs  rae  that  on  the  15th  ult.  my  patient 
had  a  chill,  but  as  this  was  tliree  days  after  the  operation,  an  I  as  he  had 
been  having  them  before,  it  could  not  have  had  any  connection  with  the 
operation. 


lyS  Electricity   and    Electrical    Apparatus. 

going  to  the  anode,  and  the  electro-positive  elements,  such  as 
nitrogen,  hydrogen,  and  the  alkalies,  passing  to  the  cathode. 
Then  I  took  the  white  of  an  egg,  which  contains  the  various 
electrolytes  in  solution,  and  by  passing  the  current  through  it  I 
had  the  same  results.  It  was  also  evident  to  the  observer  that 
the  clianges'that  took  place  at  the  two  poles  were  very  cliff erent. 
Around  the  anode  there  was  a  firm  coagulum,  the  result  of  the 
combinations  of  the  various  electro-negative  elements,  as  the 
acids,  etc.,  both  with  the  metallic  electrode  and  the  albumen  of 
the  egg,,  while  at  the  cathode  the  electro-positive  elements  were 
escaping  in  the  form  of  gases,  etc.  Now  the  h^'pertrophied  tis- 
sue of  a  stricture  contains  these  various  electrolytes,  which  are 
decomposed  by  the  current  in  the  same  way,  and  the  elements 
are  either  eliminated  as  gases,  and  pass  out  through  the  urethra 
(which  I  frequently  feel  in  passing  a  strong  current),  or  are  ab- 
sorbed by  the  blood.  You  can  readily  understand  now  why  the 
urethral  electrode  is  always  attached  to  the  cathode,  because, 
should  you  reverse  tne  current,  you  W'ould  not  only  not  benefit 
your  patient,  but  do  incalculable  damage  by  causing  new  deposits 
in  the  urethra,  and  a  worse  stricture  than  30a  had  at  first.  The 
advantages  of  this  operation  over  others  are  that  it  is  almost 
painless,  that  it  is  seldom  or  never  (  when  cautiouslv  handled  ) 
followed  with  any  inflammation  or  after-trouble,  and  that,  in  my 
opinion,  the  cure  is  permanent." 

From  these  reports  any  ordinary  intelligent  person  can  learn 
the  principles  and  theory  and  practice  of 'electrolysis  in  stricture. 

In  the  treatment  of  impotence,  when  it  depends  upon  urethral 
stricture,  this  is  the  treatment  for  a  radical  cure.  If  healthy  sex- 
ual function  does  not  return  upon  the  cure  of  the  stricture,  then 
the  method  described  in  a  former  chapter  should  be  adopted. 

CHOREA. 


On  page  54,  under  the  head  of  central  galvanization,  chorea 
is  mentioned  as  one  of  the  diseases  amenable  to  this  treatment, 
and  with  certain  precautions  and  modifications  we  are  prepared 
to  commend  it  highly. 

Powerful  batteries  are  not  required  for  successful  treatment 
of  this  kind.  Indeed,  we  are  apt  to  use  electricitv  too  strong 
in  these  cases,  as  well  as  in  many  others,  and  then  evil  instead 
of  good  results  are  always  realized. 

We  use  galvanism  only  in  chorea.     So  far  as  our  experience 


Electricity   and   Electrical   Apparatus.  179 

goes,  the  faradic  and  static  forms  of  electricity  are  not  so  effect- 
ive here.  We  use  large  sponge  electrodes,  and  very  mild  cur- 
rents— from  two  to  eight  cells,  according  the  age  and  impres- 
sibility of  our  patients.  Children  from  five  to  seven  years  of 
age  rarely  bear  v^'ithout  complaint  more  than  two  to  four  cells  ; 
and  older  patients — nine,  twelve  and  sixteen — will  not  require 
more  than  four,  six  or  occasionally  eight  cells  of  an  ordinary 
Stohrer,  Mcintosh,  or  Daniell.  While  there  is  greater  quantity 
in  the  Daniell,  the  action  is  not  so  quick,  and  the  current  milder, 
and  patients  can  bear  more  cells  from  this  battery  than  from 
others.  But  the  fourteen-cell  bichromate  battery,  double-size 
elements,  as  made  by  Aloe  &  Hernstein,  answers  a  fine  purpose. 
In  making  the  application,  the  sponge  electrodes  should  be 
well  wetted  with  water,  and  the  hair  on  the  head  of  the  patient 
should  be  moistened  also.  Salt  water  is  preferred  for  these 
purposes  by  some,  but  we  can  get  all  the  effect  w'e  want  in  using 
plain  water,  and  it  is  more  convenient.  Now,  if  the  chorea  is  con- 
fined to  one  side  of  the  body  only,  the  positive  pole  of  the  battery 
is  placed  on  the  side  of  the  head,  above  the  ear,  opposite  to  the 
affected  side  of  the  body,  and  the  negative  electrode  placed  in 
the  hand  of  the  affected  side.  This  is  all  done  while  the  batter\- 
is  at  zero.  After  the  electrodes  are  properly  fixed,  we  take  into 
the  circuit  one  or  two  cells  at  a  time,  till  two,  four  or  eight  cells 
are  included,  as  may  be  required,  carefully  observing  the  be- 
havior of  the  patient,  that  vre  may  avoid  the  results  of  too  strong 
currents,  or  too  long  continuance,  as  per  cautions  given  on  page 
53.  It  is  a  good  practice  to  test  the  impressibility  of  these  pa- 
tients as  described  on  page  52.  From  three  to  sis  minutes  is 
long  enough  for  any  application  of  this  kind,  and  they  should 
be  made  daily. 

If  both  sides  of  a  patient  are  involved,  then  we  should  apply 
the  treatment  to  both  sides  alternately — a  minute  or  two  on  one 
side,  and  then  a  minute  or  two  on  the  other  side.  In  changin"- 
from  one  side  to  the  other,  we  should  disconnect  the  battery,  or 
turn  it  to  zero  before  we  remove  or  change  the  sponges.  This 
is  done  to  prevent  a  shock  in  breaking  the  current  by  suddenly 
lifting  the  sponges. 

Under  this  treatment  alone  nearly  all  chorea  patients  begin  to 


i8o  Electricity   and   Electrical    Apparatus. 

improve  at  once,  and  if  the  treatment  is  continued,  in  harmony 
with  other  appropriate  therapeutic  measures,  such  as  tlie  judi- 
cious use  of  arsenic,  cimicifuga,  chloral,  etc.,  we  need  not  fear 
of  success.  While  we  might  cure  with  medicines  alone,  our 
observation  w^arrants  us  in  stating  positively  that  with  the  addi- 
tional use  of  electricity  this  disease  is  materially  shortened,  and 
the  cure  made  comparatively  easy. 

A  WORD  TO  BEGINNERS. 


All  physicians,  before  commencing  the  use  of  electricity, 
should  remember  that  this  agent  will  not  cure  everything. 
In  fact,  there  are  many  cases  in  which  it  is  not  available, 
and  instead  of  being  useful  it  may  do  much  harm.  Again, 
in  all  cases  where  its  proper  application  might  prove  ben- 
eficial, it  should  be  used  by  a  skilled  hand,  or  administered  b^ 
one  who  is  quite  well  acquainted  with  the  instruments  employed, 
and  the  effects  of  the  currents  generated  by  them.  The  practice 
of  putting  electricity  and  electrical  instruments  into  the  hands  of 
the  people,  to  be  used  hap-hazard,  as  domestic  remedies,  shouL^ 
be  discouraged,  even  prohibited.  Just  as  well  put  any  other 
potent  remedy  in  their  hands,  and  tell  them  to  go  ahead,  for 
no  measure  employed  by  the  medical  profession  requires  more 
skill  and  experience  in  its  successful  employment  than  electricity. 
The  common  use  of  electricity  by  the  people,  all  over  this  coun- 
try, mostly  by  means  of  very  cheap  and  inefficient  instruments, 
':an  only  result  in  disaster  to  nearly  every  patient  who  suffers 
such  quackery  to  be  imposed  upon  him.  And,  in  many  cases, 
where  the  good  results  looked  for  are  not  realized,  electricity  is 
held  responsible,  when,  in  fact,  the  measure  itself  is  not  to 
blame.  The  use  of  electricity  should  be  confined  to  the  medical 
profession,  and  its  members  should  thoroughly  understand  it, 
and  always  use  the  very  best  instruments  to  be  had.  When  this 
comes  to  be  the  condition  of  things,  then  electricity  will  be  fully 
appreciated,  appropriated  when  it  may  do  great  good,  and 
avoided  when  it  can  only  do  harm.  It  is  to  be  hoped  that  every 
intelligent  physician  in  the  country  will  discourage  the  foolish 
oractice  of  advising yami/tes  to  buy  batteries,  and  use  them  upon 


Electricity  axd  Electrical  Apparatus.  iSi 

the  different  members  of  the  household  who  ma}-  happen  to 
complaiu  of  pains  and  aches  here  and  there.  Such  a  practice  is 
exceedingly  reprehensible. 

To  succeed  in  the  use  of  electricity,  it  is  not  only  imperatively 
necessary  that  the  operator  understands  the  instruments  used,  but 
that  he  has  a  good  knowledge  of  the  disease  he  undertakes  to 
treat;  and  then  he  must  give  the  matter  his  personal  attention. 
And  it  should  also  be  remembered  that  time  is  required  in  bringing 
about  favorable  changes  with  electricity.  It  is  true  that  much 
good  may  result  from  a  few  applications  of  electricity,  but  we 
more  frequently  find  th^vt  great  changes  and  permanent  good 
result  from  the  long  contiraied  and  patient  use  of  this  measure. 
Patience  is  positively  requu-ed  ;u  the  use  of  this  agent;  and  un- 
less operators  have  sufficient  faith,  and  the  patient  confidence  to 
continue  treatment  for  any  reasonable  length  of  time,  it  is  hardly 
worth  while  to  commence.  These  are  the  essential  requisites  in 
the  use  of  electricity,  and  if  properly  observed,  there  is  enough 
in  this  volume  to  guide  any  intelligent  physician  in  the  success- 
ful application    of  this    great  therapeutic  measure. 


DR.  PITZER'S  ONE-HUNDRED-CELL 


Thislsthe  working  part  of  Dr.  Pitzer's  onp-hiindred-cell  Galvanic  Hattery.  The  «;Tan(1  tHerhani!=in 
-n-asiuaile  toordtT,  liy  Jpronie  KidcJor  ManufactiirinE:Co.,  of  New  York  cltv.  It  is  fixrd  iu  a  suitable 
cabinet,  and  lias  every  convenience  requiriMl.  Tlie  arrangement  is  such  tliat  by  properly  moving  the 
arms  on  tlieconiiiound  circle  switch.  A,  any  desired  number  ofcells,  addinu  four  ata  time,  may  be  taken 
into  the  circuit.  Or  any  number  of  c»lls  iu  any  part  of  the  circuit  may  be  used  at  pleasure.  (At  W  the 
wires  are  seen  coming  from  the  Battery  in  the  cellar.) 


GALVANIC  BATTERY 


INDEX. 


PAGE. 

A  Word  to  Beginners 180 

Acne "3 

Aloe  &  Hernstein's  Galvanic  Bat- 
tery   10,  11 

Aloe  &  Hernsteiu's  Improved  Elec- 
tro-Magnetic Machine 22 

Amaurosis 73 

Amenorrhea 73 

An  Impostor  Exposed 85 

Asphj'xia — How  to  Relieve 91 

Atliinson's  Topler  Electric  Machine  123 
Bartholow's  Method  for  Produc- 
ing the  Static  Induced  Current..  109 

Bartlett's  Galvanic  Battery 11, 12 

Battery  Elements 7 

Battery  Fluid  for  Zinc  and  Carbon 

Elements 7 

Battery  Fluid  for  Smee  Elements..     19 
Cases  in  Illustration  of  Asphyxia 

Patients 92  to  96 

Central  Galvanization 52 

Chloroform  Anaesthesia — How  to 

Manage 91 

Cliorea 54,  178 

Commutators 10 

Conduction  and  Induction 7 

Conductors  and  Conducting  Cords     10 
Dana,  C.  L.,  M.D  ,  on  Impotency..  142 

Dangers  of  Strong  Currents 53 

Death — Testing  for  Life  or  Death 

in  doubtful  cases 87,  88,  89,  90,  91 

Drowning — How     Treated     with 

Electricity 91 

Dr.  Hathaway's  Elfectro-Magnetic 

Chair 2G,  49 

Dr.  Pitzer's  One-IIundred-Cell  Gal- 
vanic Battery 182 

Dr.  Romaine  J.  Curtiss  on  the 
Value  and  Us  3  of  Static  Elec- 
tricity   110  to  115 

Dr.  W.J.  Morton's  Clinical  Expe- 
rience with  Static  Electricity 115 

Electricity — what  is  it? 3 

Electricity,  Different  Forms  of 5 

Electrodes 10 


Electro-Therapeutics 32 

Electricity  as  a  Stimulant,  Tonic 

and  Sedative 32 

Electricity  in  Diagnosis 34,  35,  37 

Electrolysis 55 

Electro-Diaguosis  81 

Electrodes  for  Static  Machines  Il- 
lustrated  132  to  135 

Eye  Electrode,  or  Electro-Magnet.  136 
Eyes — the    Effects    of  Electricity 

upon 83 

Facial  Paralysis 31 

Facial  Paralysis,  Complicated..36  to  38 

Facial  Paralysis 78 

Faradic  Machines 18 

Faradic  or  Induced  Current 18 

Faradic  or  Induced  Current  Ex- 
plained   21,  22 

Faradization,  Local  and  General....    33 

Forms  of  Static  Electricity 105 

Frauklinic  or  Static  Electricity 6 

Gaiffe's    Pocket     Electro-Medical 

Apparatus  25 

Galvanism G 

Galvanic  Battery  Cells 7 

Galvano-Caustic    Electrodes    and 

"Instruments 17 

Galvanometers    and    Galvano- 

scopes 2S,  29 

Galvanism  to  Relieve  Paiu 42 

Galvanic     and     Faradic    Current 

both  Necessary 41 

Galvanism    and    Faradism    Com- 
pared      46 

Galvano-Cautery     and     Galvano- 

Cautery  Batteries 9G  to  99 

General  Effects  of  Electricity 4 

Gross,  Prof.  S.W.,  M.D.,  Urethral 
Stricture  and  Sexual  Weakness..  151 

Hairs  Removed  by  Electrolysis 59 

Heart  Disease 45 

Hammond,  Prof.  Wm.  A.,  on  Im- 
potency   -- 143 

How    to    Administer     Electricity 

Properly  41 

How  to  Succeed  with  Electricity....  181 


1 86 


Index. 


Hutclimson,  Wm.  F.,  M.D.,  on  Im- 

potency 141 

Hysteria 54 

Hysteria  and  Spasm 116 

Impotency 139,  151 

Induration 75 

Insulators 10 

Insulation lOG,  131 

Kidder's  Improved  Cells  for  Tip 

Batteries 20 

Kidder's  Pliysician's  Office  Elec- 
tro-Medical Apparatus 21 

Kidder's  Physician's  Visiting  Ma- 
chine      25 

Kidder's  Pocket  Induction  Appa- 
ratus      2G 

Lead  Poisoning 71 

Liver  Disease 44 

Loadstone 5 

Local  Atrophy 76 

Locomotor  Ataxia 120 

Lumbago 74 

Malingerers — How  to  Detect  them    84 

Magnetism 5 

Mcintosh's  Galvanic  and  Faradic 

Batteries 12,  13,  14,  15,  16 

Mothers'  Marks 76 

Nervous  Headache 43 

Neuralgia— the  Proper  Current  to 

Use     40 

Neuralgia  of  the  Head  43 

Neuralgia,  Complicated 113 

Newman,  Robert,  M.D.,  Urethral 

Stricture  and  Electrolysis 153 

Obscure  Diseases 55 

Opium  and  Morphine  Narcotism....     91 
Overall,    G.  W.,    M.D.,    Urethral 

Stricture  and  Electrolysis 176 

Paralysis  of  Leg 78 

Paralysis,  Central  and  Peripheral..    84 

Paralysis,  Bell's 119,  120 

Peripheral  Paralysis,  Tests  for 34 

Piffard's  Galvano-Cautery  Battery    16 

Polarity  of  Electricity ."..       5 

Poles— Positive  and  Negative 8 


Poles 6 

Positive  and  Negative  Static  Elec- 
tricity   131 

Pressure  Paralysis 120 

Prof.  J.  O.  Stillson's  Cases  in  Eye 

Surgery  137,  138 

Pulmonary  Disease 45 

Quantity  and  Tension  or  Intensity      8 
Queen's  Toepler-Holtz  Machine  ....  100 

Rheotonies 30 

Rheostats 31 

Rheumatism 75 

Rheumatism 112 

Rheumatism,   Muscular 118 

Romaine    J.    Curtiss,   M.  D.,    on 

Static  Electricity 104  to  105 

Sciatica 42,  44,  111,  112 

Sciatica  and  Cruralgia lit) 

Sensitive    Parts  of    the  Body    to 

Electricity 82 

Sexual  Weakness 139 

Skin  Diseases 71 

Smee's  Elements 19 

Sparks 106  to  109 

Spinal  Curvature 47 

Static  or  Franklinic  Electricity 99 

Static  Induced  Current 109 

Static  Induced  Current  as  a  Tonic  114 

Static  Electricity  and  Ozone 135 

Stohrer's  Galvanic  Battery G 

Tasting  Electricity 83 

The  Wrong  Current 77 

Toepler-Holtz  Machine 100 

Trance — How  to  Distinguish  from 

Death 87 

Trouve's  Polyscope 98 

Tumors  Removed  by  Electrolysis..     56 
Uniting     Cells    for    Tension    or 

Q  lantity 9 

Urethral  Stricture 151 

Very  Strong  Currents  Injurious  ....    39 

Which  Pole  to  Use 49 

W.  J.    Morton,  M.  D.,  on  Static 

Electricity  101  to  104 

Zinc  and  Carbon  Elements 19 


d, 


